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The Physics of Star Trek  By  cover art

The Physics of Star Trek

By: Lawrence M. Krauss
Narrated by: Larry McKeever
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Publisher's summary

What actually happens when the words, "beam me up, Scottie" are uttered? What "warps" when something travels at warp speed? Internationally renowned theoretical physicist and educator Lawrence M. Krauss provides matter-of-fact scientific explanations of the physics of Star Trek in this highly creative and informative guide for both the devoted Trekkie and the physics novice. Krauss reviews the basic laws of physics, as well as the ideas of leading physicists, including Newton, Hawking, Einstein, Feynman, Kirk, and Janeway.
©1995 Lawrence M. Krauss (P)1996 Books on Tape, Inc.

What listeners say about The Physics of Star Trek

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    59
  • 2 Stars
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Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting Book. Quite Technical

This was an interesting book to read/listen too. It was quite technical and discussed the actual physics behind many of the technical innovations suggested by the various series. Not only does the author do a good job of explaining the Series reasons for many of these things to work, but he will also delve into actual physics that we understand at the time this book was written and suggest how some of these things may be possible, or whether they may in fact be impossible, or improbable.

The audiobook seems to have some problems in the fact that you miss some drawings or illustrations that might have been available to view had I had the printed copy. Occasionally the author will refer to one of these illustrations or drawings that he assumes you to have seen. This did not deter from my enjoyment of the book however.

The author does a good job of using analogy or layterms, and takes the time to define many terms to allow any reader to have a good basis for understanding much of the physics referred to in this book.

It won't win any awards, but it made a short trip for me, more enjoyable (much to the chagrin of my wife and children in the car with me).

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A great book for Star Trek fans

This book is great for Star Trek fans who also enjoy the basics of astrophysics and helps you understand how far off in the future the Science of Star Trek actually is. For Non Trekers just ignore the references to the programme episodes and enjoy the thought prevoking phyisical facts that prove that Science Ficton really is Fiction in this day and age.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book!

Excellent book! It is grounded solidly in Physics. The book will be of great interest to both theoretical physics fans and star trek fans. As a fan of both I found this book superb.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Review of "The Physics of Star Trek"

The best audio book I've ever listened to. Of course - I am a "Trekie" but I've listened to this 3 times and still am not tired of it. The narrator has a highly entertaining style and the content really is interesting if you have been immersed in any of the Star Trek genre of shows. Highly entertaining, smart and clever.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This was super great!

I enjoyed everybit of it. Even listen to it twice! The Narrated did a great job reading and even when I didn't have the picture to see what he was talking about I was able to follow along and get the meaning of what he said. I was able to better understand what physics is. This was a great way of learning it. Time travel, space, planets, blackholes... all was explained almost too easy. Love it and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the basics of physics.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Read, Listening Cringe

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator, I should have looked a little closer as I thought it was ready by the author. Lawrence M. turned in to Larry Mc~. If I had known, I would have bought this book in print.

What did you like best about this story?

This book is an interesting and fun analysis of the physics of a fantasy world. It has the right balance of real physics, prospective futurism, and playful fun, as if you are having a coffee and a chat about a recent episode. Dr. Krauss sets the tone of a diligent academic task without being too rigid on reality or taking it too seriously.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's cadence awkward at best, almost as if it is a cold read. The audio quality is that of a Talkboy. His diction feels overplayed and at times muddles the context of the book. This is a book about physics; you must articulate the difference between silicon and silicone.

Do you think The Physics of Star Trek needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Sure! Yes, I would read it. Additionally, I now want to audit a couple of Dr. Krauss's lectures, perhaps even take a course to see what kind of grade I could achieve.

Any additional comments?

Find a different narrator, or just read it the old-fashioned way.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

Very interesting indeed. I actually listened to it a few times. Every time I learn something new.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Boring narrator makes book sound like a lecture

It was hard to stay engaged in this book due to the narrator. The tone is consistent throughout without much inflection and it just dragggggs along.

I suggest checking out the sample. If the narrator is tolerable and you're a big Star Trek fan then you'll likely get your credits worth.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good information

The narrator and book time index, are out of sync… the time index shows chapter 11, but the narrator says chapter 9.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great fun

This is a book that I had wanted to read for a very very long time but just never got around to it.  Now I’m very glad that I finally did. Great fun indeed.

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