Book Description

Reviews (32)

A smirk and a wink do not a good science book make
I read Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe before The Hole in the Universe. No doubt, the scientific depth of Greene's near-masterpiece bolstered my negative reaction to Cole's rather light-weight book. A serious science reader should avoid "Hole": it is superficial, contains a bizarre digression, and is too clever for its own good. One could argue that Hole's relatively short length is a benefit. Undoubtedly, some short science books are very good. (Short works by Martin Rees, John Barrow, and Paul Davies demonstrate this point.) Hole's short length, however, is not evidence of the author having synthesized mind-bending and mathematically challenging material into clear, tight prose. Hole is so short because it's so superficial. In fact, I would argue that the book is too long. The bizarre digression I mentioned above occurs at the end of the book where Cole discusses how the human brain perceives (or misperceives) the world. The connection to her main subject -- "nothing" -- is tenuous, at best. The only plausible explanation I can come up with for Cole's wierd digression is that it allowed her to briefly discuss two books she likes (one of which -- Phantoms in the Brain -- I have read and was shocked to find mentioned in Hole). Finally, I was extremely annoyed by the clever word play and frequent interruptions in Hole. The word play got old very quickly. Nothing, something, and anything -- yes, these words can create cute sentences when the subject is nothing, but not past the first chapter. Thankfully, the word play decreased after the third or fourth chapter, but my irritation with the author never left me. As for the interruptions, I dislike headers and quotes every 2.5 pages of a book. It gave Hole the feel of a very long Newsweek article. If I could, I would put a sticker on the jacket advertising Hole as a MTV Book Club selection, "catering to short attention spans." Hole isn't useless, but I didn't find it particularly enlightening. Several contemporary physicists have written popular science books that cover the topic of nothing more deeply and more satisfyingly.

Something for Nothing
A lot of books try to be about something, but turn out to be about nothing. This book says it's about nothing, which reveals everything. Well, at least something. This book starts from zero and goes nowhere fast. But the concept of zero is very important, as well as very funny for some reason. Or maybe none at all. Nothing itself turns out to be something. For example, sometimes nothing is equilibrium, which is the sum of opposing somethings. Then again, sometimes there's nothing until you look at it. Only then it is something. Or something like that. You would think nothing and emptiness have nothing in common, but it turns out they do have something, and maybe everything. K.C. Cole is a columnist and teacher, and uses those skills to create a book you can read a little or a lot at a time. Wit and a good ear also help move things along. This book goes from zero to the speed of space. It's a fast laugh track around physics, quantum mechanics, string theory--life, the universe and...nothing. Yes, it's everything you ever wanted to know about nothing but were afraid to ask. Lovers of games, paradox and cosmic concepts with everyday implications should find this a relatively painless way to understand why humans makes so much ado about nothing. I can see Einstein and Groucho Marx reading passages to each other and laughing hysterically, while Buddha smiles and nods. To most people physics has been sounding crazier all the time, with its quarks of color and raspberry flavored gluons, as if maybe making the Bomb unhinged them all, so it's worth listening to what a knowledgeable and articulate non-scientist makes of it. Sometimes the metaphors don't quite work, and sometimes such a big universe in such a small space means it simplifies maybe a bit too much. But what we may lose in sophistication we make up in a refreshing respite from scientific self-importance. Besides, it's not easy to express complexities simply--I suspect some of these painless paragraphs cost blood, sweat and tears to write. So if you have zero interest in boring explanations, you'll find this book quite something. Prepare your mind for quite a ride-if you don't get dizzy, you missed something-or maybe nothing. And if you've suspected that science and the absurd are like two parallel lines about to intersect, this book may confirm it. Which is not to say that science is wrong, although it's clear that even now with everything we've learned, we know next to nothing for certain about anything. At one point Cole asks us to imagine the universe as the scum on the surface of a pond. Sounds reasonable to me--pond scum explains a lot. After reading Cole I'm confirmed in my belief that this is the most ridiculous universe I've ever heard.

Fabulous
This book will blow your mind. It is elegant, deep, crystal clear. A tour of nothingness that will turn you inside out: whether Cole is writing about the number zero, the perceptual aspects of seeing and feeling "nothing," the physics of the vacuum or the origin of time, you will feel right at home in this universe.

Don't expect anything
I expected nothing, and got nothing. Isn't that something? If you have meditated for many years and fringed on dharmakaya this book is a delightful dance with that from which everything comes. Ken Wilber too confusing, or too long? K. C. Cole waterskis some of the same territory, and , frankly, I'm not sure why he isn't a reference. This is a book a Buddhist could love. But zen that isn't saying much. Would have liked even more diagrams, and more pictures.

Not much ado about nothing
Despite its grandiose title, Cole's concise volume focuses less on "everything" (or a theory thereof) and more on historical and contemporary concepts of "nothing" and of "zero." In the first paragraph of her introduction, the author admits the difficulty of writing such a book and claims she avoids the temptations of "following [nothing] wherever it leads, getting lost in the semantic thicket of nothing puns, or simply bouncing the idea around on one's knee, string together curious facts and ancient history." In fact, this perplexing book succumbs to all three faults.

After an introductory, overlong, and (yes) pun-packed overview, Cole gets to the meat of the book. A history of zero and nothingness from the Greeks to the nineteenth century precedes a chapter on mathematical concepts, three chapters on physics (fields, quantum theory, spacetime, black holes, string theory), and two chapters on cosmology (big bang, inflation, the cosmological constant, repulsive force). The penultimate chapter, on how visual perception and psychological factors influence the concepts of nothingness, seems noticeably out of place.

Yet this outline of the book is deceptive, since the vaguely structured chapters seldom confine themselves to the topics at hand. A lack of transitions, a fondness for rhetorical questions, and an excess of tangents further confuse Cole's rambling banter. A symptom of the book's lack of organization is the unjustifiable frequency with which the author interjects that there will be "more on this topic later."

And then there are the puns. In spite of the author's preemptive reassurance to the contrary, there are so many quips along the lines of the one I've used to title this review that it's occasionally difficult to know how seriously a statement or observation is meant. Cole is quite capable of hitting her targets: there are a number of mind-expanding images, genuine bursts of witticism, and sharply described concepts, but, just as often, the discussion falters in linguistic limbo. Granted, Cole has an unenviable task, since even scientists haven't yet developed the language to discuss many of the concepts she describes, but her prose isn't aided by the preference for clever wordplay and winking asides over straightforward exposition and unambiguous definitions.

The book is not entirely without merit; one's reaction will surely depend on one's interests and background. Some readers, especially those who enjoy works of popular metaphysics, might regard the ideas presented here as mind-expanding, even satisfying, but fans of science writing are likely to be disappointed. Those readers should investigate instead the significant number of books listed in Cole's bibliography, most of which discuss these topics far more clearly. ... Read more

Book Description

A leading stellar astronomer summarizes our understanding of supernovae and their interaction with interstellar gas, including the ambient interstellar medium, the gas ejected in the explosion itself, and the gas emitted as stellar wind. She examines the evolution of supernova remnants as they interact with the gas and considers the role of supernovae and stellar wind in the physical state of the interstellar medium. Essential reading for specialists in supernovae and stellar evolution. ... Read more

Book Description

In Walking in Space: Development of Space Walking Techniques, DavidShayler provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of EVA techniques,available for the first time in a readable form - other than NASApublications.The author draws on original documentation, personalinterviews of astronauts with experience of EVAs, and accounts by thoseinvolved in suit design, EVA planning and operations.Moving on from the pioneering of EVA techniques during the Geminiprogramme, the author describes the basic requirements in terms of theequipment that every spacewalker needs, the development of trainingtechniques - currently all completed on Earth - the surface explorationsof the Moon by the Apollo astronauts and the numerous activities performedby Shuttle astronauts and those aboard the Salyut and Mir Space Stations,such as satellite servicing, equipment upgrading and repair missions.Healso describes the development of techniques for ensuring crew safetyduring EVAs and looks ahead to future EVAs from the International SpaceStation and the development of new technology, including roboticassistance. ... Read more

Book Description

This long-awaited graduate textbook, written by two pioneers in the field, provides a comprehensive introduction to the observations, theories, and consequences of stellar winds. The rates of mass loss and the wind velocities are explained from basic physical principles. This textbook also includes chapters clearly explaining the formation and evolution of interstellar bubbles and the effects of mass loss on the evolution of high- and low-mass stars. Each topic is introduced simply to explain the basic processes and then developed to provide a solid foundation for understanding current research. This authoritative textbook is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and researchers seeking an understanding of stellar winds and, more generally, supersonic flows from astrophysical objects. It is based on courses taught in Europe and the United States over the past twenty years and includes seventy problems for coursework or self-study. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of the best book about stellar winds
"Introduction to Stellar Winds" is simply one of the best book for those who need to know more about this topic. It's not just about the most massive stars, which have the strongest winds (e.g. Wolf Rayet stars), but also other stars (cooler, e.g. our Sun) with fainter wind. As a PhD student working on hot stars, this book is a reference. It sum it up all modern concepts, usually previously published in several articles in some astronomical publications. Mainly for astrophysicists, or for interested astronomy amateur whith extensive mathematical and physical knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Welcome Aboard!

You are about to embark on a spectacular adventure, blazing a trail for future space travel in the world's greatest flying machine.

Prepare for lift-off using the step-by-step instructions for launch and ascent. Soar into the sky consulting the authentic gatefold reproduction of the Shuttle's instrument panel. Operate the remote manipulator arm, the space telescope, and the data relay satellite as you communicate with ground control. Chart your space flight using the authentic fold-out orbital map. Hurtle back through the Earth's atmosphere to land the aircraft gently like a glider.

Congratulations! We hope your mission is rewarding and fascinating!

Sincerely,

Directorate for Crew Training


Written for the layperson by curators at the National Air and Space Museum, with colorful illustrations throughout, THE SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATOR'S MANUAL takes the reader through all the motions of an actual mission -- from preparation to takeoff to orbit to re-entry. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

So, You Want To Be An Astronaut?
This is the best book on how to live, work, and live in space. It tells you all about the buttons, the menus, the toilets, the suits, etc. It even has like 7 pages for the launch with the dialogues and everything starting at T-minus 5 hours to T+plus 48 minutes. It has the same for landing, too. It tells you what's inside the shuttle, and where the stuff is located. It even describes certain space missions like Spacelab, and more! If you want to study space shuttles and become an astronaut, this book is a must! I love it! I can't stop putting it down!

The Perfect Shuttle Reference
This book is the best overview and reference manual on the shuttle. As you can see from the "Look Inside" function, and by the index, it covers the whole nine yards. It focuses specifically on the orbiter, and covers all aspects of shuttle missions from launch to landing.

As an aspiring sci-fi writer, I found this book to be the perfect reference. It has raw statistics, such as orbiter length, cargo bay volume, and it even goes over the meals and menus and how they are prepared. It also goes in to the history of the orbiters, and the names of the ever shrinking shuttle fleet.

Several sections deal with the now-defunct Spacelab modules. The Spacelab was the shuttle equivalent of a camper shell that sat in the cargo bay. It turned the shuttle into a mini space-station, and had several interchangeable modules. One section was a pressurized module with a battery of experiments, which was connected to the shuttle cockpit. Other sections included a multi-use pallet, and an experimental pallet. This Spacelab was retired in 1997, and has been replaced by the Spacehab modules, which was on the Columbia when it broke-up over Texas.

This book is written in the normal "Basic English" of instruction manuals, and can be understood by elementary school children. It also has many diagrams and pictures, which save many thousands of words of descriptions.

By the way, this book does explain how the space lavatory. In case you are curious, it is a normal commode with vacuum suction, although I have heard stories that it can smell at times.

This book's one weakness is that it is a bit impersonal. If you want to know about the emotions and reactions to life in spaces, another book may be better, such as Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff," of Homer Hickam's "Back to the Moon.". As you read this book, you must supply your own excitement and emotion to this book, since it is an operator's manual. It reads a bit like an encyclopedia, or dictionary, and not a novel.

After reading and referencing this book, I felt as if I had been on board!

A fun look at the space shuttle
I commend the person whose idea it was to come up with this book. It provides an overview of the space shuttle's systems as well as some of the tasks of the crew.

I enjoyed the book's fold out pages of the space shuttle control panels. The launch checklist and systems schematics were of particular interest for me as well.

While it's fun to look at every once and awhile, I would have liked more detail on the space shuttle systems. Also, while the book offers some explanations regarding individuals steps in the launch sequence, I would have liked more information on each step. I think the title, "The Space Shuttle Operator's Manual," is a tad bit ambitious since it's such a cursory look at the space shuttle. Nevertheless, I still consider it educational.

Overall, I think those who are interested in the space shuttle will get something out of this book.

A handy reference for mission simulations at Space Camp.
Recommended reading for space cadets of all ages. Study up! The information packed in this manual will come in handy for those nerve-racking mission simulations at Space Camp/Space Academy.

Especially good are the pull-out schematics of the orbiter's control panels.

And the diagram of the improved field joint on the SRBs is helpful in understanding the Challenger accident. Although it would be more helpful if they also showed the original joint construction.

A great book for space science educators
If you're part of the increasing number of teachers who are involved in space science education, this book is a great candidate for use as a basic text. It consolidates all the information you need to teach about the space shuttle and is particularly useful if your school is involved in space shuttle simulations -- an idea whose time has come. It's amazing how many schools use this book as part of their space science simulation program. You'll find the lift-off scipt, glossary, and detailed diagrams very useful. ... Read more

Book Description

Graduate students and researchers in astrophysics and cosmology need a solid grasp of a wide range of physical processes. This authoritative textbook helps readers develop the necessary toolkit of theory. The book is modular in design, allowing the reader to pick and chose a selection of chapters, if necessary. After reviewing the basics of dynamics, electromagnetic theory, and statistical physics, the book carefully develops a solid understanding of radiative processes, spectra, fluid mechanics, plasma physics and MHD, dynamics of gravitating systems, general relativity, nuclear physics, and other key concepts. Throughout, the reader's understanding is developed and tested with problems and helpful hints. This welcome volume provides graduate students with an indispensable introduction to and reference on all the physical processes they will need to successfully tackle cutting-edge research in astrophysics and cosmology.It can be used alone or in conjunction with two companion volumes, which cover stars and stellar systems, and galaxies and cosmology (both forthcoming). ... Read more

Book Description

Many scientific papers and popular articles have been written on the topic of space tourism, describing everything from expected market sizes to the rules of 3-dimensional microgravity football. But what would it actually feel like to be a tourist in space, to be hurled into orbit on top of a controlled explosion, to float around in a spacecraft, and to be able to look down on your hometown from above the atmosphere? Space tourism is not science fiction anymore, Michel van Pelt tells us, but merely a logical step in the evolution of space flight. Space is about to be opened up to more and more people, and the drive behind this is one of the most powerful economic forces: tourism. Van Pelt describes what recreational space travel might look like, and explains the required space technology, the medical issues, astronaut training, and the possibilities of holidays to destinations far, far away. This is a book for everyone who has ever dreamed of traveling to space: a dream which, according to van Pelt, may not be so far from becoming a reality. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An enthusiastic guide for your first trip
This book is for everyone who wants to be like Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth but doesn't have the millions to spend yet. Because this book tells what it must have felt like for them to be genuine space tourists, and at the same time gives all potential space tourists good hopes for regular affordable trips to space in the near future. It is enthusiastically written, with lots of details about what each space tourist should know and be prepared for, with the occassional twink of the eye, or a critical look where that is needed. ... Read more

Book Description

Today we are on the verge of discoveries that should soon revealthe deepest secrets of the universe. In Alpha & Omega, Charles Seifetakes us to the front lines of the cosmological revolution to synthesize thediscoveries of scientists at observatories and laboratories around the world whoare actually peering into both the cradle of the universe and its grave. Thecast of characters includes galaxy hunters and microwave eavesdroppers, gravitytheorists and atom smashers, all of whom are on the trail of dark matter, darkenergy, and the growing inhabitants of the particle zoo. Seife’s lucidexplanations of scientific theories and current research make cutting-edgescience both crystal clear and wonderfully exciting. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Good introduction for non-science types
A fine and clear review of the development of cosmological theory from Ptolemy to the present, definitely written for the curious non-scientist.
Seife has a good feeling for how strange the universe is, and for how unsettling it can be to contemplate it. He takes your hand and leads you through the stories of discovery with respect, but assuming you know little to nothing about the subject.
I had trouble putting it down.

Trying to elucidate a difficult subject
Science writer Charles Seife, author of the award-wining Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea (2000), begins with two chapters on pre-modern cosmology followed by a chapter on Hubble's discovery of the expansion of the universe using the new 100-inch telescope placed atop Mount Wilson in 1917. Seife sees Hubble's discovery as "The Second Cosmological Revolution." In Chapter Four we learn, thanks in part to the Hubble Space Telescope, that the Hubble constant is not so constant after all and is indeed larger today than it was in the past. Conclusion: the universe is not only expanding, but is accelerating in its expansion. Seife calls this "The Third Cosmological Revolution." The chapter is subtitled, "The Universe Amok."

Maybe the universe is indeed running amok, or maybe it's the astrophysicists and cosmologists themselves who are possessed. Too much data too soon may have untoward consequences, especially when one is feeling about in the dark with limited instruments focused on an immensity perhaps beyond human comprehension.

First there is the problem of the so-called dark matter. With the curvature of the universe at one, meaning that it will expand forever and eventually after many an eon die a cold and lonely death, there will be no big crunch, no bounce, and no time reversal. This is okay. However, when cosmologists go looking for the correct amount of matter and energy to support this flat curvature they come up a little short. About ninety percent short, in fact. In other words nearly all that there is, is not only invisible to our perception, it is completely mysterious except that it does indeed influence gravitationally the rest of the stuff in the universe. As Seife explains, the stars in a galaxy as they rotate around the galactic center are not moving in concert with Newtonian (or Einsteinian) motion; instead the stars furthest from the center are moving at about the same speed as those near the center, an impossibility.

What to do about this? Cosmologists have postulated some "dark matter" surrounding galaxies like a halo. With just the right amount of dark matter (again approximately a whopping nine times that observed) the speed of the stars is nicely accounted for. There is another solution: reject Newtonian/Einsteinian dynamics. That (as radical an idea as one would like to entertain) has been tried and, as Seife notes, it has failed. (See p. 100) Furthermore, as Seife observes in "Darker Still" (Chapter 7), this invisible stuff cannot be all ordinary (baryonic) matter. It has to be of some "exotic" variety that we can't identify.

Okay, let's put the dark matter conundrum on hold and look at the next problem: something from nothing. It appears that, due to the uncertainty principle from quantum mechanics, there is no such thing as nothing. That is, matter is probabilistically jumping in and out of existence down near the Planck level in the "foam" regardless of how complete the vacuum. Indeed, some theorists have imagined whole universes popping randomly out of...what? It would appear that underneath, beneath, inside of--what?--there is, like an unfelt cauldron beneath our feet or inside the very fabric of space/time, something unimaginably immense and/or unimaginably tiny.

This "zero point energy" is now being postulated as the source of Einstein's cosmological constant (lambda) that is expanding the universe. Lambda was once thought to be an error; now "omega sub lambda" is thought to equal 65% of the matter/energy in the universe. Hello!

Seife's book suffers from that familiar plague on the house of popular science writers: trying to explain mathematical ideas without using mathematics, and trying to explain particle physics and quantum mechanics to people who haven't been trained in those sciences. One must rely on analogy and metaphor. Naturally using such devices things can make things even fuzzier than they already are. Also there is some inexactness in Seife's expression employed for what he calls "the sake of clarity."

Sometimes Seife's metaphors reduce to something close to meaningless, as in his ice cream-flavor-slurping hydrogen atoms from page 179. Such metaphors can send chills down the spine of some scientists, and they can mislead. A slightly different example is his statement that "the Heisenberg uncertainty principle forces nature to create and destroy...particles that appear out of nowhere...in the deepest vacuum." (p. 185) Not to disparage the uncertainty principle, but it is "nature" that is doing the forcing and not the other way around. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is a way of explaining to ourselves what is observed (or not observed, as the case may be).

At other times Seife leaps from the uncertainty of a strained metaphor to runaway dramatics, as on page 183 where we find this: "once scientists figure out what really is, they will have unraveled the deepest mystery in physics today...[they will] understand...[what] drove the big bang itself...They will see beyond even the era of the quark-gluon plasma...to a time when the quantum vacuum held the fate of the universe in its grasp."

As for Seife's several attempts at witticism, I will give him a Cheshire cat's smile and applause to extend for the entire half-life of a virtual particle in the foam of space.

Okay, okay. Writing science that is both fair to the science and explicable to nonscientists is no easy task. I don't think Seife is as successful here as he was in "Zero," especially because the writing gets a little beclouded in the latter parts of the book but also because I have the sense that Seife is not as comfortable with physics as he is with mathematics. What is clear is just how removed even well-educated and knowledgeable laypersons are from the cutting edge of physics. Still this is an attractive book that added to my knowledge of cosmology.

Interesting book that gets ahead of itself
'Extra! Extra! Scientists have solved the universe's biggest mystery!' Eh? Such a claim would invite derision in most circles, but this is not too distant from the claim that the book uses as a launching statement when it suggests that researchers in the past decade have managed to precisely map out the future of the universe. This is quite inaccurate and the book is thus obviously unable to support it. Unfortunately, the claim also colours the book's entire outlook, which is crammed with overstatements and a writing style that is not balanced enough for a subject of such depth.

In the author's defence, he does not dwell overly on the unsupportably tidy claim that his book makes in the beginning. He is much more in his element when he backs away from it and explains what's currently theorised about spacetime's structure, geometry, and properties and why scientists think so. He has a good grasp of general relativity and an ability to explain it well, but he also works in good discussions of some of the more difficult-to-grasp ideas that involve string theory as well as some of the odder contortions of spacetime geometry. The book's greatest strength is that it helps a reader to visualise and make some sense out of theories that otherwise are expressed only in the form of cumbersome and quite difficult mathematics. Worth taking a look at, at least for the book's middle chapters where most of the explanation takes place.

difficult concepts explained in a simple manner
Ever since I read Charles Seife's excellent book "Zero: A Biography of a Dangerous Idea" I have been excited to read whichever book he might publish next. I finally got my change with "Alpha & Omega: The Search for the Beginning and End of the Universe". The title tells us exactly what the book is about: The Search for the Beginning and End of the Universe. In this book Seife informs us about what scientists know about how the universe began, and what they think they know about how the universe will one day end. Charles Seife has a rare talent for taking extremely complex and difficult scientific concepts and explaining them in a way that those concepts are understandable to a lay-reader.

Charles Seife examines what the accepted scientific view of the beginning of the universe was, and he shows how that view has evolved over time until scientists had more data to give a clearer picture of the origins of the universe. Seife also tells us how scientists have figured out how the universe is likely to end. He tells us what scientists know, and more importantly, how they know it. This is very important because it shows the advances made in scientific knowledge as well as because of the fact that it explains the knowledge on a more basic level that makes sense. The theories become more real and less of an alien concept to someone like me who does not have a depth of knowledge in science.

Even though Seife went to great lengths to explain the science in the simplest language possible without losing the depth of the information presented, some of it still went over my head a bit. Seife's volume can be best used as a primer and as introduction to the topic. He has a smooth writing style that makes the book very easy to read even with the difficult concepts presented. This is another excellent book by Charles Seife and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the scientific explanations for the origins of the universe.

Very Enjoyable and Worthwhile Book
How do you explain the cosmos? It depends on when you live. Mr. Seife makes this point in a very enjoyable manner in the first chapters of this book. Unfortunately for all of us (at least those of us without advanced degrees in physics, etc.), we live in a time when the explanations are very technical, and involve concepts that seem implausible, if not just plain impossible.

They're not, of course - and that's why we need books like this that help us to make sense of these concepts, while not making us feel like morons because we need the help to understand them. This book does a very good job of doing that.

Mr. Seife really loves his subject, and writes about it with great zeal. The writing, while sometimes (by necessity) very technical, is never dry or dull. I missed the humor that I found in Stephen Hawking's books of this nature. By the same token, this book is much better written, and in many ways much more enlightening, than Hawking's "The Theory of Everything: The Origin and Fate of the Universe" which often left me confused as to where all of the pieces fit.

The key, it seems to me, is that Mr. Seife stays focused on his task at hand: giving the reader the tools necessary to understand current cosmological theories. He doesn't digress into discussions of theories and areas designed to simply boggle the mind, as Stephen Hawking sometimes does. Speaking of Stephen Hawking, I am curious how you can write a book of this type, in this time, and not cite Hawking. Mr. Seife manages to do that. I wonder if there's something below the surface there.

This was a most enjoyable book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to increase his or her understanding of our cosmos. But, don't forget to bring your thinking cap. ... Read more

Book Description

This text offers a balanced approach to the complexities of space, its many practical applications, and its relevance to human society. It surveys all aspects of space, in an interdisciplinary way, for the non-expert reader, and complements the many specialized textbooks available in the field. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Concise introduction to the vast subject of space education
This is the core textbook from the prestigious "International Space University" (http://www.isunet.edu), from which I graduated from. ISU is unique inasmuch it offers both two-month Summer programs as well as an eleven-month Masters degree, the latter of which I attended. I went to ISU as an engineer and left with a broad knowledge of subjects such as Law, Policy, Architecture, Infrastructure, Mission Design, Environment, Astrodynamics, Applications (Remote Sensing, Telecommunications, Navigation), Humanities, Sciences.... Authored by an impressive list of internationally respected individuals, this book is a Holy Book for anyone serious about (or presently) working in the space sector, be you undergraduate or project manager. It doesn't matter if ISU is an institution for post-graduates, "Keys to Space" has been written in a way that even high school students can understand. It's an ideal book to motivate the younger generation as well.

I've reduced my rating from 5 to 4 because a) the book requires updating since a lot of references are made to projects that have since been cancelled, b) the quality of some of the diagrams and pictures are poor and c) there are a number of grammatical errors. ... Read more

Book Description

Readers worldwide have come to know the work ofStephen Hawking through his phenomenal million-copyhardcover best-seller A Brief History of Time. Bantam is proud to present thepaperback edition of Dr. Hawking's first new booksince that event, a collection of fascinating andilluminating essays, and a remarkable interviewbroadcast by the BBC on Christmas Day, 1992. Thesefourteen pieces reveal Hawking variously as thescientist, the man, the concerned world citizen,and-always-the rigorous and imaginative thinker.Hawking's wit, directness of style, and absence of pompcharacterize all of them, whether he isremembering his first experience at nursery school; callingfor adequate education in science that will enablethe public to play its part in making informeddecisions on matters such as nuclear disarmament;exploring the origins of the future of the universe;or reflecting on the history of A BriefHistory of Time. Black Holes and Baby Universes is an important work fromone of the greatest minds of the twentiethcentury. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

An excellent precursor to "A Brief History of Time"
Lucasian Professor Stephen W. Hawking once again puts "the big questions" into a much more readily digestable format than the general public would normally have access to...and avoids force-feeding us countless equations in doing so!

While there are sections in this book which tend to confound many, it delves into the question of the creation of the universe and the philosophical ramifications of our actually finding the answer to that question. It offers subtle insights into "the man behind the mind" that awes so many people across the globe.

You are reminded many times that it's not the body which restricts what can be accomplished, but the mind...and Hawking's is one mind which knows no apparrent bounds!

While I must admit that this book contains a number of repetitions, this is noted at it's outset as an "at times irritating" byproduct of teh fact that the book is conprised of several essays written over a number of years. This relatively minor irritatation aside, if you are planning to purchase "A Brief History of Time", this is an excellent book as preparation for it.

I would highly reccommend both books to anyone with a desire for the answers to bigger questions than "Where am I gonna eat lunch today?"

Shorter lectures and thinkings in an easy way
I believe it is hard for a brilliant mind like Stephen to discuss theoretical physics like he does. If we look at the structure of it and the incredibly vast and complicated mathematics that follows this thinking, it is an achievement to present it in such simple way to an audience with enormous lack of knowledge in this area. If you didn't read Brief History Of Time before this book, it might seem very odd to you. This book is second part of an effort to bring some very academic field to an interest of a broad public sphere, which is interested in the principles of universe, but has no possibilities for explorations and readings in this field, because it has become too complicated to understand. In past (maybe some 100 years or more ago) an educated person could follow all the latest scientifical discoveries in the papers (and could mostly understand it). Nowadays even experts in their branches have sometimes troubles in understanding their superior colleagues. Such an attempt from Hawking is therefore very positive.

The History of the Universe and Stephen Hawking
I listened to this audio tape on my drive to Vegas. It did its duty in keeping me awake and interested. I have read much of Stephen Hawkins's theories, but never much about his life, so this was interesting in that in included some biographical sketches of the scientist before his brain was wired for genius.

It took this book to remind me that Hawking is in fact a Brit, and that the American accented voice we associate with him is due only to the American programming of his vocal synthesizer. Hawking says that he identifies so much with that voice now that he could never trade it in for a proper accent.

Hawking was a standard guy who could have gone in any number of professional directions. He choose cosmology, but was rather undistinguished it seems until his body began deteriorating, causing his mind to come into sharp focus. His really is an interesting story.

Many of the ideas encompassed in this volume can be found in other works of his, but like a trusted friend, they are always worth revisiting. Some of the witty lines have been used before. Hawking never shies away from his ability to turn a phrase, so when he turns a good one, as if delivering a stump speech, he anchors his future dissertations around the worthy analogies crafted for past lectures.

I really enjoy reading and listening to Hawking. He has a good mind and a nice enough grasp of the language to present his thoughts to a mass audience.

Science, but for non egg-heads.
It's kinda hard to review a book that has no plot per se, but more of an explanation on the theories of space, time travel, our universe and its creation and demise, and of course black holes.

What is really nice about this relatively short scientific book, is that Stephen Hawking makes his research and theories very accessible to the everyday reader. His explanations are not overly complex and deep that it leaves you with a headache afterwards. In other words, you need not be a rocket scientist or have and alphabet soup degrees to catch on.

Mr. Hawking keeps his chapters relatively short and not mired into too much techno-babble, but gets straight to the meat of any said topic and presents wonderful layman analogies that we can all identify with. It's also pleasant that he interjects a certain degree of wit and self humor into his style so as he doesn't come across as a stiff scientist.

The book ends with a transcript of a wonderful radio interview he did when he was 50, which surprisingly depicts a very human side to Mr. Hawking while still presenting his thoughts on creation, God, dark matter, time travel, and what exactly 'may' happen if one were sucked into a black hole.

One of those rare books I read over and over
To reveal my bias first: I loved physics in high school and college, and most of my peers did not.

This is a collection of updated essays and speeches concerning the cosmology (the origin and evolution of the universe) and related topics, such as determinism (whether every last little thing is predetermined to happen). Hawking explains everything from a scientific point of view and also explains the science he refers to, including quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of relativity. A few major points are brought up repeatedly in almost every chapter and I was thankful for this repetition because it made my understanding possible. These speeches and essays had originally been written for audiences of various levels of understanding, such as for university audiences (many of whom were grad students). Regardless of "where you're at," you will find some chapters easier to digest than others. (Chapter 7, for example, is relatively rigorous and gets into particle physics, but I appreciated its rigor after the rest of the book had become familiar.) I had to re-read a few paragraphs in this book more than once and then pause and think before they clicked, but they did click. I found this especially true of the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics and the sum over histories, which I had never heard of before. Hawking makes excellent use of analogy.

I found Hawking's explanations of Einstein's theory of relativity easier to understand than an entire book for laymen on that subject called "Relativity Visualized."

Hawking, correctly in my opinion, spends an early chapter discussing his life including his physical condition, which he had only mentioned in "A Brief History of Time" which I never finished, by the way. I found this book to be an easier read than that one. There is profound discussion of the role of scientists in society, and of science and the public.

To my amazement:

1) I finally became comfortable with the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics;

2) This book corroborated, rather than conflicted with, my philosophical beliefs; and

3) I learned that scientists are very human when it comes to stubbornly adhering to what they *want* to believe, at least for a while, after it's been disproved. Hawking cites many examples of this in his historical coverage of our understanding of physics, notably how relativity was considered too "far out" for years by most of the science community, Einstein himself not believing one of its implications.

Some of the most amazing revelations are not theory ut accepted facts that I just was not caught up with. I treasure this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Astronomy, astrophysics and space research have witnessed an explosive development over the last few decades. The new observational potential offered by space stations and the availability of powerful and highly specialized computers have revealed novel aspects of the fascinating realm of galaxies, quasars, stars and planets. The present completely revised 5th edition of The New Cosmos provides ample evidence of these dramatic developments. In a concise presentation, which assumes only a modest prior knowledge of mathematics and physics, the book gives a coherent introduction to the entire field of astronomy and astrophysics. At the same time, it takes into account the art of observation and the fundamental ideas behind their interpretation. Like its predecessors, this edition of The New Cosmos will provide new insight and enjoyment not only to students and researchers in the fields of astronomy, physics and earth sciences, but also to a wide range of interested amateurs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Solid astronomical textbook
This book may not be the most flashy in illustrations and will require that you actually read whole sections instead of just browsing the highlights in sidebars. But it does contain a lot of solid information going into more detail on several topics than other introductory textbooks. It is targeted rather at the graduating physics student than at an interested lay person.

German Science
Being a German-American, I thought this book would get to the rudiments of astrophysics - and it does. Unfortunately, I seem to fall asleep before reading a page or two. The book is full of information ... in TEXT form. The illustrations offered are dry and somewhat difficult to extract information from. The methods of problem solving assume that you have a good handle on the topics discussed already (not for introductory Astrophysicists). If you are in need of a book to give straight to the point explanations, and fundamental equations - you've found it! Try reading at a coffee shop, though - and no decaf! ... Read more

Book Description

This text presents numerous illustrations of the observed variability of cataclysmic variable stars. It provides a clear explanation and thorough up-to-date overview of this phenomenon at a level accessible to the advanced amateur or undergraduate student. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

nearly perfect
"Cataclysmic Variable Stars: How and Why They Vary" by Coel Hellier is
one of those rare books that successfully toes the line between being a
scientific and a popular book. This book is so popular with AAVSO HQ staff that it
frequently is taken home and has to be tracked down when someone needs it!
It works as both a reference and a straight-through read. As a reference,
one can confidentally refer to it when coming across any type of unfamiliar
CV. As a straight-through read, it is clearly structured and written in a
lively style that makes it easy to go from start to finish.
The majority of the book is broken up into sections about the different
types of CVs. Each section is well illustrated with light curves (many coming
from AAVSO observations from observers like you), historical background, a
breakdown of the system with easy-to-read diagrams, theory, and more. When
mathematics is introduced it is always in a sidebar or appendix which allows
those interested to get involved but does not require an understanding of the
equations for those who wish to avoid math.
The book is not simply an encyclopedia of CVs, though. It covers everything
from basic visual and CCD observing techniques to how to derive a stellar mass
from your observations.
This is a book that every CV lover should own along with anyone who is
interested in learning more about these enigmatic objects. The layout,
illustrations, structure, and writing have all come together to create what is
almost the perfect book on CVs. I hope the team that put together this book
continues to work together on future endevours. If so, the future of variable
star publications looks not variable at all, but bright and steady.

Thanks, Coel, for writing this book
Thanks, Coel, this book has made my job of involving undergraduates in my research (on CVs, of course) much easier. It is suitable for amateurs, too, being self-contained with its chapter on CCD photometry. It's also nicely produced, and yet the price is quite reasonable...: I have no qualms with telling them to go out and buy their own copies, necessary since both my copies are already in the hands of students.

"Absolutely Astonishing"
Gives the reader a full understanding of why these cataclysmic variable stars are so important to understanding the cosmos. Amateur astronomers will love this. Don't be surprised to find yourself gazing at a variable star next trip to the backyard. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is a comprehensive and coherent introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe.After an introduction to standard cosmological theory and the theory of phase transitions in the early universe, the book then describes, in turn, the properties, formation, and cosmological implications of cosmic strings, monopoles, domain walls and textures. It concludes with a chapter considering the role of topological defects in inflationary universe models. Ample introductory material is included to make the book readily accessible. It will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good book, though dated
With so much having happened in cosmology in the past several years, pretty much any book not written very recently or about intro topics has lost some of its relevence. With that restriction in place here, one still finds this book to be very informative and useful. Many pioneering efforts are encapsulated here, and although alternative theories have surpassed some of the theories presented in this book any cosmologist should have this book on his/her shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

This book deals with 2-spinors in general relativity, beginning by developing spinors in a geometrical way rather than using representation theory, which can be a little abstract. This gives the reader greater physical intuition into the way in which spinors behave. The book concentrates on the algebra and calculus of spinors connected with curved space-time. Many of the well-known tensor fields in general relativity are shown to have spinor counterparts. An analysis of the Lanczos spinor concludes the book, and some of the techniques so far encountered are applied to this. Exercises play an important role throughout and are given at the end of each chapter. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Clifford Pickover, an extraordinarily prolific and polymathic research scientist at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, has consistently been one of the most creative writers about computer graphics, scientific visualization, and mathematical models of natural and physical systems. This latest offering is classic Pickover in its wealth of information, ideas, bold speculations and and propositions -- including proposed "hands-on" experiments with black holes -- which just may turn out to be plausible. Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE
I throughly enjoyed the book, Black Holes:A Traveler's Guide. I liked the format that he used by presenting a lot of information that was also entertaining at the same time. I enjoyed the science fiction type journey that used real facts that are on the frontier of astrophysics. I also liked the fact that the information was advanced but not too technical and it did not contain a lot of equations or really technical lingo.

Engrossing and Entertaining
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into and hard to put down. Don't get discouraged by the equations. I skipped over the calculation as all that interested me was the concepts which the author did well to get across. There was perhaps only a couple of sections I re-read and mainly because I was trying refresh them in my mind to relate them to sections later in the book. As a bonus there's also a cheesy little sidestory that while not exactly rife with tiwsts and turns does well to get across basic concepts in an amusing manner before delving into the knitty gritty of it. If you enjoy studying black holes buy this book. If you don't enjoy studying balck holes, well it'll look good on your coffe table with it's snazzy cover:)

Happy trails....
The term "black hole" was coined by the Princeton physicist John Archibald Wheeler. What, exactly, a black hole is (if there even is such a thing) has been a source of debate and confusion for decades. Clifford Pickover inserts you as the main character of this book. You are on a spaceship (complete with aliens) way the heck in the future & your ship is near a black hole. So, you & your friends decide to do a close (literally) study of the cosmic anomaly.

The story is entertaining & has many didactic features. Pickover also inserts some humor so as to make the book enjoyable as opposed to a dense treatise of rather complex mathematical concepts. Also, at the end of each chapter is a section called "The science behind the science fiction." It is a detailed account of what we presently know (or think we know) about the notions which were presented in the narrative.

And, the concepts are many. We learn of various weird things that happen in & near a black hole, such as time slowing, the "shrinking" of one's perspective due to the singularity & the mind-numbing gravitational power which is projected by black holes.....a gravity field so immense that the escape velocity exceeds light speed. We learn how black holes were predicted by Einstein's theory of Relativity as well as how the many principles of quantum mechanics come into the picture when one is attempting to understand the nature of singularities.

Much of this book is speculation, but it is educated speculation. The conjectures on what happens inside of a singularity, as well as the possiblity of wormholes which lead to other universes & dimensions is exciting & based on our best available current knowledge of the cosmos. As an added bonus, there is a chapter in the back of the book in which many of the world's leading cosmologists answer questions posed by the author on various topics about & related to black holes. There are also computer animation pictures of some of the more dazzling geometrical effects that are generated by black holes. For anyone who is planning to visit a black hole anytime soon, this book is a must.

GET THE BOOK AND BEGIN YOUR OWN TRAVEL!
For over five years I've been a fond of classic physics, cuantic physics, cosmology and astrophysics. I've read the books of some of the greatest writers of these branches of science, among which I remember Stephen Hawking, Paul Davies, Roger Penrose, Albert Einstein, etc. All of these books are very complete if we talk about the information exposed by them, but they have a common characteristic (I don't know whether is a defect in fact), is highly recommendable to have a certain level of scientific knowledge in order to make good use of its content. The book featured by Clifford A. Pickover "Black Holes: A traveler's guide" is totally different to those that I've read before. Is a complete, funny and, overcoat, is easily understandable by anybody. At the beginning of each chapter there are presented dialogs (between the reader and an alien called Mr. Plex) with the purpose of giving the main idea of what is coming up next. In the same way, almost all chapters make reference to simple formulas that describe the most relevant aspects about the behavior of black holes. Besides the main subject (black holes), the author took charge of showing in a briefly manner another "not less important" subjects of astrophysics and cosmology. I had never understood many of the formulas presented until I read this book. When you begin to read it, you begin a journey to the marvelous structure of one of the strangest and most fascinating things in the whole universe, a black hole. Is the best book that I've ever seen about this topics and I believe that somebody difficultly overcome the clear, precise and funny style of writing of Clifford A. Pickover. GET THE BOOK AND BEGIN YOUR OWN TRAVEL!

Good Book for General Readers
This book is full of useful information about black holes that is presented in a fun manner. The dialog at the beginning of each chapter makes the reader understand the topic fairly easily. The equations were added for a more scientific approach, but you don't have to understand them to understand the theories. This book is very good for readers interested in Black Holes, but not the physics of them. I would not suggest this book to people who have studied physics or astrophysics if they are looking for a mathematical explanation of Black Holes. It often repeats itself because it is guided towards people with an interest in the subject but are not really interested in the math and physics of it all.

Overall it is an excellent overview of Black Holes, and a joy to read! ... Read more

Book Description

This completely revised second edition of our hugely popular book invites the reader to explore ten of the most important areas of modern physics: Symmetry, Lasers, Superconductivity, Bose–Einstein Condensation, Nanoscience, Quantum Computation, Chaos and Fractals, Stellar Evolution, Particles, and Cosmology.

The new edition adds three new chapters in about a third of the book, covering the latest, hottest topics in contemporary physics: Bose–Einstein Condensate: Where Many Become One and How to Get There: Bose Statistics: Counting of the Indistinguishables; Bose–Einstein Condensation (BEC): The Over-Population Crisis; Cooling and Trapping of Atoms: Towards BEC; Doppler Limit and its Break Down; Trapping of Cold Atoms: Magnetic and Magneto-Optic Trap; Evaporative Cooling; BEC Finally: But How do We Know?; BEC: What Good is it? Exploring Nanostructures: Towards the Bottom; The Rise of Nanoscience; Confined Systems; Quantum Devices; The Genius of Carbon; Spintronics; Nanos at Large. Quantum Computation and Information: Classical Computer; Quantum Computer; Quantum Gates; Deutsch's Algorithm; Finding the Period of a Function; Shor's Factorization Algorithm; Grover's Search Algorithm; Hardware and Error Correction; Cryptography; Quantum Teleportation.

The authors give a fascinating, up-to-date account of the exciting advances in these fast-moving fields. Their emphasis is as much on describing natural phenomena as on attempting to explain them in terms of basic principles, replacing equations with physical insight. General readers and university undergraduates alike will find this unique book a useful guide to the worlds of modern physics, while the mature scientist will get an insightful survey of neighboring fields of research. For the teacher who takes a thematic approach to teaching physics, this book will be a complete source of current topics at the frontiers of research; and for the student, a valuable tool of study, made even more useful by numerous pertinent problems (with complete solutions) and references found at the end of each chapter. ... Read more

Book Description

Observing variable stars is one of the major contributions amateur astronomers make to science. There are 36,000 variable stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, so it is clearly impossible for the limited number of professional observatories to target even the majority of them. That's where amateur astronomers come in, thousands of them turning their telescopes to the sky every night. Variable star observing is the most popular of "real science" activities for amateurs, and Gerry Good's book provides everything needed. The first part of the book provides a highly detailed account of the various classes of variable star, with examples, illustrations and physical descriptions. The second section covers practical aspects of observing, everything from preparation and planning, through observing techniques, to data management and reduction. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book for all amateur astronomers
This is a great book for all amateur astonomers but variable star observers will be most pleased. The book covers a great amount of information such as how to observe variable stars, record observational data and report observations regarding variable stars. Also, there is a great amount of information regarding the many types of variable stars such as pulsating Mira type stars, cataclysmic variables, eclipsing binaries as well as many of the less known type variable stars such as SX Phe stars, BY Dra stars, Be stars and many, many more. The book does a very good job of covering so much information, much better than any other book available to the amateur at this time.
I would recommend this book to any amateur astronomer but I would strongly encourage any variable star observer to add this book to their library as soon as they possible could do so. This is a great book for the beginning variable star observer; you'll have more information than you can use for years. ... Read more

Book Description

Combining a critical account of observational methods (telescopes and instrumentation) with a lucid description of the Universe, including stars, galaxies and cosmology, Smith provides a comprehensive introduction to the whole of modern astrophysics beyond the solar system. The first half describes the techniques used by astronomers to observe the Universe: optical telescopes and instruments are discussed in detail, but observations at all wavelengths are covered, from radio to gamma-rays. After a short interlude describing the appearance of the sky at all wavelengths, the role of positional astronomy is highlighted. In the second half, a clear description is given of the contents of the Universe, including accounts of stellar evolution and cosmological models. Fully illustrated throughout, with exercises given in each chapter, this textbook provides a thorough introduction to astrophysics for all physics undergraduates, and a valuable background for physics graduates turning to research in astronomy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A little something for everyone
Very broad in its scope with enough depth to deal with the fundamentals while pointing the reader in the right direction for a more detailed treatment of the subject matter. Could be used as a text or reference book, or simply read as I chose, to broaden ones knowledge. Contains a good overview of the tools and techniques of radio astronomy. A fair bit of math employed, but not overwhelming to the educated reader. Reading level is geared toward a 3rd or 4th year undergrad in physics/astronomy but would also be useful as a primer for graduate level students or the serious amateur. Good book at a good price! ... Read more

Book Description

In 1996 Meade, the world's largest astronomical telescope manufacturer, introduced the ETX, a low-cost and genuinely portable instrument capable of results close to the theoretical limits of optical performance. Since then several different models have been introduced, most of them controlled by on-board computers that automatically point the telescope at objects selected from a database of 12,000. Unfortunately not all these objects are visible when looking through the ETX! (They are included because they can be imaged with special equipment.) Mike Weasner is a world-renowned expert on the ETX range, and describes the "best" 100 objects to start with, and offers hints and tips about using and looking after the telescope to get the best possible results. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bad
I eagerly awaited this book, but then I deeply regretted that I've bought it. It's definitely not worth the paper. Well, the book contains everything I knew before, but all I want to know in addition (and there is still a lot!)