Understanding Physics (edit title)

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Liked It Rated 5 stars “A few years back, I was browsing a Barnes & Noble in Birmingham, Alabama, before a group of us went to dinner at P. F. Chang's. I walked into the store and right there in the "bargain" bin was a book called "Understanding Physics," and it was by Isaac Asimov. Yes, THAT Isaac...” see full review » see other reviews »

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  • Rated 5 stars

  “A few years back, I was browsing a Barnes & Noble in Birmingham, Alabama, before a group of us went to dinner at P. F. Chang's.
  
  I walked into the store and right there in the "bargain" bin was a book called "Understanding Physics," and it was by Isaac Asimov.
  
  Yes, THAT Isaac Asimov.
  
  A lot of people don't realize that in addition to Asimov's amazing story-telling ability, he also was very good at explaining science.
  
  Now, from my high school days and through the two physics courses I was forced to take in college, I've always had a mental block about physics, both classical and quantum (not that we studied quantum physics in high school, mind you). There was just something...fundamental that I was missing. Something that just didn't make sense.
  
  I picked up this $9.98 book and started to read about motion, sound, and heat. And not only did I understand it, it kept me entertained. He explained it in a way that was anything but dry and boring.
  
  These three books bound as one not only teach the fundamentals of physics, they teach the history of physics. He doesn't just tell you to memorize Newton's laws of motion, he explains how Newton reasoned them out. How he tested his theories. What knowledge led him to those conclusions.
  
  And so I purchased the book. Me. The guy who had a mental block about physics. Was reading a PHYSICS BOOK for FUN.
  
  That's why this book is among my favorites. It opened up a whole world to me that I had been avoiding because of a couple of bad teachers.
  
  What a difference Asimov--and this book--made.”

  Kaa wrote this review Friday, August 15 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 5 stars

  “A science fiction writer who actually knows science?!? Who would have thought! Asimov puts his narrative style to excellent use in this only-slightly-text-book-y work, covering pretty much everything scientists knew about physics up until the mid 60s in three fairly digestible volumes. My only complaint is that he isn't still alive to write a fourth volume on quantum physics!”

  Alex P wrote this review Sunday, February 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No