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Physics for Entertainment

by Yakov Perelman

Comment on this title and you could win free books! Synopses & Reviews Comment on this title and you could win free books! ISBN13: 9781401309213 ISBN10: 1401309216 Condition: All Product Details Only 2 left in stock at $17.95!

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Written in the early days of the Soviet Union, Physics for Entertainment is filled with easy-to-understand explanations of the essential laws of the universe, which Perelman sets up with questions such as:

• Can an invisible man see?
• Why does a microscope magnify?
• Why do knots hold?
• Why does a rocket go up?
• What would happen if the speed of sound was slower?
• Why do fish have bladders?
• What is the safest way to jump from a moving car?

Perelman also uses examples from authors such as Mark Twain, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Charles Darwin to illustrate the otherwise obtuse principles of physics.

Both instructive and witty, this book explores ordinary facts and phenomenon from a physics perspective, encouraging readers to think in scientific terms.

Physics for Entertainment is just as unique and diverting (and educational) as it was seventy years ago, when it first became a bestseller in the Soviet Union.

Review:

"The impetus to republish this once-popular miscellany by an early — 20th-century Russian scientist stems from the notoriety of reclusive Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman (no relation), who was awarded, and declined, the Fields Medal for proving the Poincar conjecture. Grigori claimed he was inspired by Yakov's book as a child, and certainly children often ask about things like whether an invisible man is able to see, or what you would experience if you fell all the way through the center of the earth. Each chapter is devoted to a scientific principle, such as mechanics, heat, and properties of liquids and gases. Perelman nods to science fiction writers from Cyrano de Bergerac to Mark Twain and H.G. Wells as he explains why their whimsical fancies might or might not be feasible. The writing in this anonymous translation is lively and entertaining, but more up-to-date books in a similar vein are more likely to stoke modern young imaginations. This reprint of the original treatise's second volume (the first being unavailable for translation and republication) is a charming historical curiosity and an entertaining diversion." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"A wonderland not only for the scientific mind, but also the creative one." David Gruber, author of Aglow in the Dark

Synopsis:

Written in the early days of the Soviet Unionand using examples from Mark Twain, H.G. Wells, Charles Darwin, and their Russian counterpartsthis lively bestseller from the 1930s is filled with answers to basic questions about physics.

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About the Author

Yakov Perelman (1882-1942) was a Russian author of many popular science books. He has never before been published in North America.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9781401309213

Author:

Perelman, Yakov

Publisher:

Hyperion Books

Subject:

Physics

Subject:

General science

Subject:

Physics-General

Copyright:

2008

Edition Description:

Hardcover

Publication Date:

February 2008

Binding:

HARDCOVER

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

336

Dimensions:

6.5 x 5.25 in 12.48 oz

Age Level:

from 18

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Product details 336 pages Hyperion - 2008-02-00 English 9781401309213 Reviews:

"Publishers Weekly Review" by Publishers Weekly, "The impetus to republish this once-popular miscellany by an early — 20th-century Russian scientist stems from the notoriety of reclusive Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman (no relation), who was awarded, and declined, the Fields Medal for proving the Poincar conjecture. Grigori claimed he was inspired by Yakov's book as a child, and certainly children often ask about things like whether an invisible man is able to see, or what you would experience if you fell all the way through the center of the earth. Each chapter is devoted to a scientific principle, such as mechanics, heat, and properties of liquids and gases. Perelman nods to science fiction writers from Cyrano de Bergerac to Mark Twain and H.G. Wells as he explains why their whimsical fancies might or might not be feasible. The writing in this anonymous translation is lively and entertaining, but more up-to-date books in a similar vein are more likely to stoke modern young imaginations. This reprint of the original treatise's second volume (the first being unavailable for translation and republication) is a charming historical curiosity and an entertaining diversion." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Review" by David Gruber, author of Aglow in the Dark, "A wonderland not only for the scientific mind, but also the creative one."

"Synopsis" by Ingram, Written in the early days of the Soviet Unionand using examples from Mark Twain, H.G. Wells, Charles Darwin, and their Russian counterpartsthis lively bestseller from the 1930s is filled with answers to basic questions about physics.