The book features a comprehensive collection of contents that outlines various topics, themes, or chapters included within. It serves as a guide to the reader, providing an overview of the material covered and facilitating navigation through the text. Each section is designed to enhance understanding and engagement with the subject matter, making it an essential resource for readers seeking structured information.
Offering a comprehensive overview of nuclear weapons, the book provides insights from physicist Jeremy Bernstein, who witnessed their development firsthand. It explores the science behind nuclear weapons while making complex concepts accessible to both general readers and experts. The narrative spans from the 1950s nuclear tests in Nevada to contemporary issues in Iran and North Korea, reflecting on the implications of the nuclear age over the last seventy years. An introduction by Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith enhances its significance in understanding global nuclear dynamics.
Makes these ideas accessible to a general reader complex concepts of relativity and the stimulated emission of light through the use of mathematics no more difficult than one learns in high school. Written by a noted and successful science writer. Noted science writer Jeremy Bernstein tells the remarkable story of Einstein’s papers and their impact one century ago. Explains the many technological ramifications of ideas which changed our lives in the twentieth century and continue to do so.
Focusing on the history and technology behind nuclear weapons, this book aims to make complex concepts accessible to the general reader. It provides insights into the development and impact of these powerful weapons, ensuring that readers can grasp their significance in modern society.
Near the end of World War II, ten of Germany's foremost nuclear physicists, including Werner Heisenberg, were captured and detained for six months at Farm Hall, an English country house outside Cambridge. This book contains the complete annotated transcripts that were made from secret recordings of their conversations.
Focusing on the intersection of kinetic theory and cosmology, this book explores the implications of applying kinetic principles to various cosmological issues. It delves into how these concepts can enhance our understanding of the universe's behavior and structure, offering insights into fundamental questions in cosmology. Through a rigorous analysis, it aims to bridge the gap between statistical mechanics and cosmological phenomena, presenting a unique perspective on the dynamics of the cosmos.
This diverse collection of essays offers a glimpse into the author's multifaceted interests, showcasing insights gained from interactions with some of the world's greatest thinkers. The blend of personal experiences and intellectual exploration creates a rich tapestry that reflects a unique perspective on life and knowledge. Readers can expect an engaging journey through various themes, enriched by the author's unique voice and experiences.
Exploring the intersection of love and science, this novella features whimsical encounters with iconic figures like Wittgenstein, Einstein, and Gödel, while also delving into the narrator's life with a dog named Molly. The narrative balances serious scientific themes with a light-hearted tone, highlighted by humorous dialogues, such as Einstein's playful remarks about Gödel's eccentricities. This unique blend of intellectual exploration and personal reflection creates a captivating homage to both relationships and the wonders of science.
In the early years of its conception, J Robert Oppenheimer spoke of quantum theory as a subject that was "unlikely to be known to any poet or historian." Yet, as Bernstein notes, in just sixty-odd years, one can find at least nine million entries on Google under the rubric "quantum theory" -- from poets and historians, as well as film critics and Buddhist monks. How did quantum mechanics enter general culture so pervasively? Having studied the subject for over a half-century, Jeremy Bernstein returns in this second edition to enlighten readers with a witty insider's perspective on the development of quantum theory as well as its loopholes. It is also a scintillating account of the interplay between brilliance and fallibility in humankind, even in the key figures who have shaped common understanding of quantum theory -- such eminent figures include Niels Bohr, the Dalai Lama, Tom Stoppard, and most notably, John Bell who made pioneering contributions in quantum physics. At once thought-provoking and intellectual, this semi-autobiographical popular science book is highly recommended for readers with rudimentary knowledge of science history, philosophy, and naturally, physics.
"...heartily recommended as being as fine an example as one can hope to find of expository writing on science. The profiles of the giants of modern science, not to mention the wonderful accounts of earlier titans of physics, certainly make the book a best-buy on the popular science shelf." -NEW SCIENTIST"an eclectic collection of essays...a well written work, as one expect(s) from a writer of Bernsteins caliber; recommended..." -LIBRARY JOURNAL