Physics Biography

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.

What happens when something is sucked into a black hole? Does it disappear? Three decades ago, a young physicist named Stephen Hawking claimed that it did - and in doing so, put at risk everything we know about the fundamental laws of the universe. Leonard Susskind and Gerard 't Hooft realized the threat and responded with a counterattack that changed the course of physics.

Discover the fascinating world of quantum physics through the life and groundbreaking ideas of Werner Heisenberg, one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. Werner Heisenberg Explained: A Complete Guide to the Uncertainty Principle, Quantum Mechanics, and the Philosophy of Modern Physics unpacks complex scientific concepts in clear, accessible language for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Explore Heisenberg’s revolutionary development of matrix mechanics, his formulation of the uncertainty principle, and his central role in shaping the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum...

From the Marginalian creator and bestselling author Maria Popova, a bold exploration of what makes a meaningful life. "It's difficult to imagine a better narrator than Natascha McElhone for this...McElhone's soft voice and poetic cadence guide listeners into the personal and professional lives...

As Carl Sagan did for astronomy and Brian Green did for cosmology, Walter Lewin takes listeners on a marvelous journey in For the Love of Physics, opening our eyes as never before to the amazing beauty and power with which physics can reveal the hidden workings of the world all around us. "I introduce people to their own world," writes Lewin, "the world they live in and are familiar with but don't approach like a physicist - yet."

In the 1970s, amid severe cutbacks in physics funding, a small group of underemployed physicists in Berkeley decided to throw off the constraints of academia and explore the wilder side of science. Dubbing themselves the “Fundamental Fysiks Group,” they pursued a freewheeling, speculative approach to physics. Some dabbled with LSD while conducting experiments. They studied quantum theory alongside Eastern mysticism and psychic mind reading, discussing the latest developments while lounging in hot tubs.

Few scientists have enthralled more people than Richard P. Feynman, the Nobel Prize winner and best-selling author of Six Easy Pieces and Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Beloved for his engaging character and zest for life, he is an American icon. In this selection of letters, Feynman's towering genius and singular personality shine like dazzling stars.

This biography of James Clerk Maxwell tells the story of one of the greatest physicists of the nineteenth century. Maxwell discovered the relationship between electricity, magnetism, and light, which prepared the way for radio waves and the internet. Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, said, “I stand not on the shoulders of Newton, but on the shoulders of James Clerk Maxwell.” Maxwell’s work on color theory, thermodynamics and physics laid the foundation for modern science. What many do not know, is that James Clerk Maxwell considered his greatest discovery to be ...

A fascinating exploration of the science of the impossible—from death rays and force fields to invisibility cloaks—revealing to what extent such technologies might be achievable decades or millennia into the future. One hundred years ago, scientists would have said that lasers, televisions...

This audiobook includes forewords read by the authors, Frank Verstraete and Céline Broeckaert. The International Bestseller 'Ambitious . . . pleasingly full of cutting-edge topics - New Scientist 'A physics book unlike any other. The scope, depth and artistry are breathtaking' – John Preskill...

One of the greatest physicists of the twentieth century, Richard Feynman possessed an unquenchable thirst for adventure and an unparalleled ability to tell the stories of his life. "What Do You Care What Other People Think?" is Feynman's last literary legacy, prepared with his friend and fellow drummer, Ralph Leighton.

To his colleagues, Richard Feynman was not so much a genius as he was a full-blown magician: someone who “does things that nobody else could do and that seem completely unexpected.” The path he cleared for twentieth-century physics led from the making of the atomic bomb to a Nobel...

Erwin Schrödinger Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Quantum Theory, Life, and the Mind of a Scientific Visionary Explore the life and legacy of one of the most fascinating minds in modern science with Erwin Schrödinger Explained — an accessible, in-depth guide to the revolutionary physicist whose ideas continue to shape the way we understand reality. From the groundbreaking Schrödinger equation to the world-famous “Schrödinger’s cat” thought experiment, this book unpacks the major contributions of a Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose curiosity reached far beyond the lab. Learn...

Quantum theory is weird. As Niels Bohr said, if you aren’t shocked by quantum theory, you don’t really understand it. For most people, quantum theory is synonymous with mysterious, impenetrable science. And in fact for many years it was equally baffling for scientists themselves. In this tour de force of science history, Manjit Kumar gives a dramatic and superbly written account of this fundamental scientific revolution.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, long-suppressed information has emerged on Heisenberg’s role in the Nazi atomic bomb project. In Beyond Uncertainty, Cassidy interprets this and other previously unknown material within the context of his vast research and tackles the vexing questions of a scientist’s personal responsibility and guilt when serving an abhorrent military regime.

Reporter Sam Kean reveals the periodic table as it’s never been seen before. Not only is it one of man's crowning scientific achievements, it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.

Understanding Isaac Newton: A Beginner’s Guide to the Scientific Genius Who Changed the World is an accessible and engaging introduction to one of the most influential thinkers in history. From the discovery of gravity and the invention of calculus to groundbreaking work in optics and mechanics, Isaac Newton’s revolutionary ideas transformed science forever. This comprehensive beginner’s guide explores the life, mind, and enduring legacy of Newton in a clear, approachable style. Perfect for students, lifelong learners, or anyone curious about the roots of modern science, this book ...

Did you know that Albert Einstein was a high-school dropout and that he failed his physics class when he finally made it to college? Or that when he died, his brain and eyeballs were removed from his body? Have you ever wondered why his hair looked so wild? Siblings Paige and Turner have - and they’ve collected some of the kookiest and most unusual facts about him, from his childhood and school days through his time studying relativity and working on the atomic bomb.

Paul Dirac was among the great scientific geniuses of the modern age. One of the discoverers of quantum mechanics, the most revolutionary theory of the past century, his contributions had a unique insight, eloquence, clarity, and mathematical power. His prediction of antimatter was one of the greatest triumphs in the history of physics.

Albert Einstein & The Shape of Space-Time pulls the photograph off the wall and asks who was really standing there. This is not a puffed-up hagiography or a dry technical manual. It is a precise, passionate probe into a man who chased beauty in equations, turned thought experiments into revolutions, and used a hard-earned platform to argue for peace. Readable without sacrificing rigor, JD Arden dissects relativity so its elegance is felt, not just asserted, and places Einstein’s moral choices against the violence and invention of the twentieth century. You will encounter the physics as ...