Quantum Physics for Poets

"No doubt about it, the quantum world is the weirdest place known to the human mind. With unexcelled clarity and humor, Lederman and Hill provide the best guide to this bizarre place I've ever seen."

-James Trefil, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Physics, George Mason University

Nobel Prize laureate Leon M. Lederman and Fermi lab theoretical physicist Christopher T. Hill take you on an enlightening tour of one of the most puzzling and complicated fields of science-quantum physics. Lederman and Hill are experts at making physics easy to decifer. In fact, The Times Literary Supplement called their previous book, Symmetry and the Beautiful Universe, "[A] tour de force of physics made simple."

Designed for the science-curious, Quantum Physics for Poets makes this often intimidating subject accessible and exciting. You'll learn the many strange and even eerie aspects of quantum reality at the subatomic level, from "particles" that can be many places simultaneously and sometimes act more like waves, to the effect that a human can have on their movements by just observing them. The authors also describe the diverse applications of quantum theory in countless forms of modern technology throughout the world, offering amazing insights at which we can all marvel. "Lederman and Hill, two very well known physicists, have written in a prose that speaks to the poet in all of us," says Gino Segré of the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania. "[It's] a delightful and illuminating guide through the mysteries of the quantum world." 

A Professor, a President, and a Meteor

"[A] tour-de-force look at early American science."

                             -Booklist

When a fiery meteor crash in 1807 lit up the dark early-morning sky in Weston, Connecticut, it sparked the curiosity of Benjamin Silliman, 

a young chemistry professor
at nearby Yale College. His rigorous investigation of the incident eventually brought the once-low standing of American science to sudden international prominence-pitting Silliman, arguably America's first bonafide scientist, against no less an adversary than President Thomas Jefferson.

Rich with fascinating historical detail, in A Professor, a President, and a Meteor: The Birth of American Science, journalist Cathryn J. Prince documents the primitive state of American science at the time; Silliman's careful analysis of the meteor samples; and the publication of his conclusions, which contradicted both popular superstitions regarding meteors as ominous portents and a common belief that meteors come from volcanic eruptions on the moon. Veteran journalist Richard Z. Chesnoff of The Huffington Post calls it "a captivating tale of America's entry into the world of science, told with such graceful prose and fascinating detail that at times you feel you are there." Science enthusiasts, history buffs, and those simply curious about how science took shape in the U.S. will be inspired by this fascinating vignette of Federal Period America. 

The Genesis of Science 

"Recommended for the general reader with a burgeoning interest in the origins of Western science." 

            -Library Journal

 The names we give to the many branches of modern science-physics, chemistry psychology, and more-echo the Greek words first used to define these disciplines. What was it about the Greeks that gave rise to the uniquely Western, scientific mindset? In The Genesis of Science: The Story of Greek Imagination, professor Stephen Bertman explains the fascinating scientific theories, experiments, and applications developed by the Greeks. He also examines the culture's emphasis on rationalism, humanism, drive for excellence, and passion for freedom and individualism-qualities that helped shape the their indelible influence on modern science and technology. Says Publishers Weekly, "Bertman is an unabashed admirer of the ancient Greeks, and his depiction of their scientific accomplishments gives us a reason to share his admiration." 

The Art of Invention

"Invention is both an art and a science and it starts with an appreciation for technology, a keen sense for business opportunities, and above all a deep understanding of human need. It also requires a childlike curiosity, a sense of wonder, and the optimism to believe that you can make a difference. Read this book and be inspired."

  -Bill Burnett, executive director of the Product Design Program, Stanford University

In our world of gadgets, sometimes the most elegantly designed invention is simplest. Take, for example, the paper clip. To veteran inventor and design engineer Steven J. Paley, it is a prime example of the three fundamental qualities that often characterize a great invention-simplicity, elegance, and robustness-and it provides a lasting solution to a common problem. In The Art of Invention: The Creative Process of Discovery and Design, Paley, a lifelong inventor who holds nine US patents, shares an insider's knowledge on the process of bringing your original ideas to life, from vision to conception. 

Join Paley for an in-depth look the typical inventor's toolkit, and learn about the real-world challenges of turning a good idea into a practical, marketable applications, including patents, marketing, and entrepreneurship. "The Art of Invention teaches creative thinking in a way that inspires us to invent," says Ronald D. Fellman, Ph.D., a lifelong inventor and former professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California at San Diego. "Paley guides us on a journey through the world of creativity in engineering [and] shows both the aspiring and experienced inventor a clear path to successfully fulfill their goals." Who knows? Maybe your fledgling ideas could become the next big can't-live-without thing! 

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