A Bridge to the Future: Understanding Nanotechnology, Part 1

The Modern Scholar

By: Professor Deborah Gibbs Sauder

Narrated by: Professor Deborah Gibbs Sauder

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nanotechnology is radically altering the world in ways almost unimaginable in only the very recent past. With applications in arenas from medicine and science to warfare and even the world of sports, nanotechnology opens the doorway to a vast array of breathtaking possibilities. In this series of clearly articulated lectures, Professor Deborah Gibbs Sauder explores the world of nanotechnology and all its astounding applications, while also examining the ethical issues raised by the science and the impact nanotechnology is having on big business.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Deborah Gibbs Sauder (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

OK Content, Terrible Reading

This program is OK but basic. If you are already familiar with nano tech, you probably already know much of what's in this audiobook. To be fair, this is an introduction however, one chapter covers the basics of the metric system. If you don't already know about the metric system, then you have bigger problems than learning about nano tech.

The real problem with this program is that it is read by the author. She stops in the middle of sentences for uncomfortably long periods of time and talks in the most boring monotone possible. I feel sorry for the student in her classes that have to listen to her take interesting material and hammer it flat.

Dont Bother

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the information provided would have been more relevant and read a bit better.

What could Deborah Gibbs Sauder have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Gotten Someone else to read.

How could the performance have been better?

Completely Lifeless

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Dissapointment

Any additional comments?

The information in this read was pretty outdated as were many of the concepts. If you are completely uninitiated in the field then its an ok start. I was surprised since the Modern Scholar series is normally really good.

Exhausting to listen to

A very uninspired book. I'm sorry, but I feel as if the narrator is going to die of respiratory failure at the end of each sentence..this makes for a very uncomfortable reading. It's probably just me, but either way..simply exhausting! I've had this book for two months now, and I'm struggling to get to the end of it! Just fifteen minutes left! It will be a miracle!

SO EXCITED NOW ABOUT NANOTECHNOLOGY & OUR FUTURE

What made the experience of listening to A Bridge to the Future: Understanding Nanotechnology, Part 1 the most enjoyable?

Just so many examples of how nanotechnology is being used and how it will be used and how it can be used. AMAZING, a must read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Bridge to the Future: Understanding Nanotechnology, Part 1?

I guess after hearing everything nanotechnology can do when it was said that Universities are working hard to make nanotechnology programs because there will be so many jobs in this area and we need people trained. I am older and I still want to go back to school and be trained in nanotechnology!

Which character – as performed by the narrator – was your favorite?

This is a lecture.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES I did listen in once sitting and I have re listened to it SEVERAL TIMES< I lost count!

Any additional comments?

This should be required reading and have your kids listen with you, it will definitely get them excited about nanotechnology and I bet they will want to go study it. I m sure whoever does will do get very good jobs!! The earlier they start the better! So jealous of those that already know how to produce items via nanotechnology!

An Introduction for Everyone

This is a fantastic book. Interesting enough for scientists to stay intrigued throughout and well structured as to not be overly complex. No matter your background, this book discusses the possibilities of nanotechnology in a way that is easy to listen to.

Exciting visual into the great

As a person that loves the possibilities and accomplishments of human genius, this book was joyous. I find it terribly exciting to hear of real advances and upcoming advances in nano technology.

good intro or nano

pretty good intro to nanotechnology. I would like one o 5he programming and computer side

Decently informative but difficult to listen

The information from this book is good, but the reader speaks in a non-cohesive manner: she pauses frequently in the middle of sentences which makes it VERY difficult to listen to.

Good book, bad performer

the content was very great and in a level that could be understood well. However, the presenter had so much trouble having a flow. She had many unnecessary pauses and kept correcting herself.

Great book for beginners

If you're just beginning in nanotechnology or have an interest as to what it is this is the book for you. It also describes how the nanotechnology scale works in comparison to what we understand what we see every day. All and all this is the book I would recommend to anyone with an interest in the field.

possibly good for children

this book does not go beyond what a British School child would be expected to know having studied biology chemistry and physics to the age of 18.

while I anderstand that it may be useful to someone who went through the American education system I was disappointed to see that the book adresses almost none of the exciting areas of research that are blooming within nanotechnology and avoids any sort of useful depth for information.

I feel swindled

A very general overview of nanotechnology

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I think overall it is too basic, seems to be aimed at very general public, but for anyone who is already a scientist it is too light

Would you be willing to try another book from Deborah Gibbs Sauder? Why or why not?

Yes

What aspect of the narrator’s performance might you have changed?

Audio is clear, but more a lecture style than good narration

Do you think A Bridge to the Future: Understanding Nanotechnology, Part 1 needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes but much more scientific details and leading edge technology

Any additional comments?

Overall the new things I learnt was limited, although generally of some interest. Think this audio book relevant facts could have been condensed.

Very underwhelming

Would you try another book written by Deborah Gibbs Sauder or narrated by the narrator?

Whilst I understand the logic of having an eminent professor reading their own lectures, in this case it simply doesn't work. The delivery and sentences are disjointed to the point of distraction, and the lack of emphasises and stresses give the unfortunate impassion that this is a dull and dry subject.

Would you be willing to try another book from Deborah Gibbs Sauder? Why or why not?

I found this a very underwhelming introduction to the TMS series, and sincerely hope that it isn't representative. I really don't see how it justifies the price tag.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance gives the impression that it hasn't been edited, and gives the lectures a sense of low production values. With all due credit to Ms. Sauder for a valiant attempt, these lectures would benefit enormously from being delivered by someone else.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointingly, I don't feel that I've learned much about nanotechnology beyond some basic chemistry presented in the first few lectures. Ms. Sauder's descriptions of how nanotechnology might one-day be used seem to gloss over what appear to be some pretty fundamental obstacles in power, design and manufacture and give a sense of hand-waving at the details along the lines of 1) Nanotechnology, 2) ???, 3) Profit. I wasn't expecting stories about tiny robots gallivanting through my begins, but a lot more detail about uses of nanotechnology since IBM wrote their name in atoms would have been a welcome addition.

Outstanding first introduction

This lecture series gives a perfect first introduction to the science of nanotechnology and its context. It covers the essential physics and chemistry behind nanotechnology, how nanomaterials are seen and built, their applications, and the socio-cultural impact. It is pitched at undergraduate level, so not difficult to grasp any of the concepts. I would recommend this as a good starting point to anyone who is thinking of studying nanotechnology, or just wants to know what it is about. Although there are one or two points when you might be forgiven for thinking you were in high-school, on the whole it makes for pleasant listening. I thoroughly enjoyed it.