These are among the questions explored in this irresistibly witty audiobook, which illuminates the cherished rituals, legends, and icons of Christmas from a unique and fascinating perspective: science.
The Physics of Christmas is also available in print from Little, Brown and Company.
Executive Producer: Jacob Bronstein
Producer: John McElroy
Cover design by John Fulbrook III
Cover illustration by John Pirman for Art Department
©1998 by Roger Highfield
(P)2002 Random House Inc.
"Enchanting...a delightful compendium." (New York Times Book Review)
"Just what the elves ordered...Highfield is the best sort of guide: he is brimming with facts, but he doesn't use them to bludgeon the mystery out of Christmas." (Newsweek)
"Excellent entertainment for the Christmas connoisseurs in your circle." (USA Today)
"close but no banana"
Good book but really focuses more on the anthropological standpoints in Christmas than physics.
I had been expecting something a bit more like the physics of what it would take for Santa to go around the world in one night - this really wasn't covered.
"A lot of fun"
A lot of fun facts, in amusing prose and read in a lively way, about Christmas and its various tropes.
"I put my tree up to the sound of this book!"
This was very fun and interesting. The science was presented in a fun manner that should appeal to most people.
"More history than science"
Best for those who find history fascinating. Could also use much more humor (in my opinion). Otherwise, an OK audiobook. Not much else to say.