Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field

How Two Men Revolutionized Physics

By: Nancy Forbes, Basil Mahon

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Two of the boldest and most creative scientists of all time were Michael Faraday (1791-1867) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879). This is the story of how these two men - separated in age by 40 years - discovered the existence of the electromagnetic field and devised a radically new theory which overturned the strictly mechanical view of the world that had prevailed since Newton's time. 

The authors, veteran science writers with special expertise in physics and engineering, have created a lively narrative that interweaves rich biographical detail from each man's life with clear explanations of their scientific accomplishments. Faraday was an autodidact, who overcame class prejudice and a lack of mathematical training to become renowned for his acute powers of experimental observation, technological skills, and prodigious scientific imagination. James Clerk Maxwell was highly regarded as one of the most brilliant mathematical physicists of the age. He made an enormous number of advances in his own right. But when he translated Faraday's ideas into mathematical language, thus creating field theory, this unified framework of electricity, magnetism and light became the basis for much of later, 20th-century physics.

©2014 Nancy Forbes and Basil Mahon (P)2021 Tantor

A Must read for HAM operators!

HAM operators will find this fascinating. The Faraday box and magnetism will entrance but Maxwell being understood is a real accomplishment.

Great and interesting read about 2 giants

I have learned much of Faraday and Maxwell in school, but knew little of their story and specific roles in the development of EM Theory. This book strikes the perfect balance between technical accuracy and literary flow - it's very interesting (even for a professional scientist like myself), but also an enjoyable read for non-science folk who are so inclined. The sheer genius of Maxwell cannot be overstated, and the full scope of his accomplishments are still difficult to comprehend in the present day. Our present world would be very different without his contributions. One can say that Maxwell was a greater contributor to Einstein than Newton - no exaggeration. Highly recommended.

wonderful story, but Ch 12, 14, 16 pdfs missing?!

Solid, informative review of the historical context and development of Faraday's experimental data concerning electricity and magnetism, and how it neatly fit with Maxwell's genius. I loved detail re his various efforts to give theoretical edifice to Faraday's postulated curved lines of force, and the ultimate use of vectors to depict those lines mathematically. I only wish the audio book included the pdfs when referenced in the text!!

Excellent!

The application of personal integrity leading to and fortifying professional, scientific, and academic integrity is very well understood through out the narrative without becoming preachy. Extraordinary individuals!

Outstanding

Thorough but without excess. Scientific and yet very human. An outstanding biography of electromagnetism and two of its foremost discoverers.

Excellent historical treatment science in action.

Without a doubt the most important period in the development of our species. Faraday and Maxwell open the world of scientific thought which allowed the freedom of those who followed to suggest things like relativity and quantum mechanics and the hope to expect for more.

Amazing story of two minds.

One should consider that , like Darwin, Faraday and Maxwell lived over a century ago.

Great book read wonderfully

A great story about to giants and wonderfully read. not sure what else to say.

Excellent science history.

Excellent description of how scientific knowledge is advanced over generations of research. I highly recommend it.

Really engaging, very clear

I had a year and a half of college physics but got lost in the details of Maxwells equations. 50 years later this has brought light to what it all means. This is a very clear explanation of what Faraday and Maxwell achieved, the context of their work, and also the big picture of how their ideas fit in with changing concepts of the physical world. The authors clearly explain the big picture and many details of the science involved but also include details of their lives and social worlds. The reader does a fantastic job. Overall I found in informative and enjoyable to listen to and a compelling story.