So despite the possibility of being mocked for reading a picture book, I have decided based on the recommendation of my Uncle, who happens to be a professional photographer, to read a book that almost entirely pictures. The book is called Naked City, by Arthur Weegee. You can find it here on amazon http://www.amazon.ca/Naked-City-Arthur-Fellig-Weegee/dp/0306812045/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299580830&sr=8-1.
This is the first book that I have read that I do not personally own. It is on loan from my uncle, whom mentioned above is a professional photographer and journalist. Art appreciation is a difficult task for me. I am sure my friends can attest that I am a very logical and straightforward thinker. So looking at, for instance, a photograph and determining whether or not it is good is pretty beyond me. That being said I always find it quite amazing the things one can catch in a photograph. Whether it be a moment of bliss, or that of sorrow. The book in question contains photographs of New York city taken by the author and brought together in a large collection. Therein one can find photographs of tragedy, fires in the city that have claimed lives. Photographs of hero's, the men who put their life on the line to catch criminals and put out those fires. Snapshots of love, whether it be lovers gazing deeply into each others eyes or holding one another in a quick embrace. The thing that intrigues me about photos is trying to determine at that split second what is going on in people's minds. There are a few pictures of murderers and some of thieves. Weegee actually comments about it in the short write ups he puts in for every chapter that the murderers are not shy. They almost always, as judged purely by these photographs, have an eerie sense of calm. Where as the miscreants of the lesser crimes are always hiding their faces and appear quite embarrassed. Although who wouldn't be embarrassed about getting busted for dressing up as an old woman merely for the sake of robbing people in a park. This book is also solely comprised of photographs taken in the 1930s and 40s. Which of course means they are black and white. There is something I find almost serene about black and white photos. They to me seem almost fake and fantastical. That the world they were captured in is not real, but a shimmering reflection of reality. If you have ever had one of those "old times" photos taken where they dress you up in awesome turn of the century garb, I think you can appreciate my previous statement. This is a book that honestly did not really excite me too much for the reasons mentioned above and my inability to appreciate much the art world has to offer. But I can also say that it is an almost unseen view into the "real world" of those times that is often glorified and mutated into a grandiose form for our entertainment in modern television and film. Interesting to say the least, but not too inspiring to someone with very little vested interest in photography. Observe at your own discretion!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman, author Richard Feynman
So it has been a few weeks since my last entry, but do not worry I have been reading lots. I just have been lazy and not posted. The next book that I have read is Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman, written by Richard Feynman. Richard won the nobel prize in 1965 for physics. He is largely considered one of the greatest physics teachers of the 20th century. This book however is not a technical book about physics. Instead I would call it more of the memoirs from his life. You can find this book on amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-Adventures-Curious-Character/dp/0393316041.
Richard Feynman accomplished many things in his life in the realm of theoretical physics. Most notably winning the Nobel Prize in 1965. But this book is a more personal look into the experiences he had growing up, going to school, and ultimately as a Professor later in life. This book was a great read, the easy going and hilarious tales right from when he was a toddler are just a treat to read. Many times in the book this great man often reminded me of a very good friend of mine who also happens to be a physicist whom I grew up with. One of the most notable and prestigeous works Richard was a part of was on the Manhatten Project in Los Alamos. His work was a very integral part of the atomic bomb but he goes about telling stories of how he is pretty much a practical joker and plays pranks all the time while working on the most serious of projects. His light heartedness and general demeanor cannot help but make you laugh. If you have ever read I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, this is kind of like a bunch of collective stories like that except from a much more intellectual and scientifically minded view. All the education in the world cannot teach you how to pick up women. But Richard learns from the most conspicuous character in his many travels, that if you treat a hot girl like dirt, she will stick to you like mud. Maybe you don't believe me, but you can't argue with a Nobel Prize Winner! Pick this book up for a good read about personal experience and one mans crazy journey through this thing called life. Rest in peace Richard Feynman you are truly a gem!
Richard Feynman accomplished many things in his life in the realm of theoretical physics. Most notably winning the Nobel Prize in 1965. But this book is a more personal look into the experiences he had growing up, going to school, and ultimately as a Professor later in life. This book was a great read, the easy going and hilarious tales right from when he was a toddler are just a treat to read. Many times in the book this great man often reminded me of a very good friend of mine who also happens to be a physicist whom I grew up with. One of the most notable and prestigeous works Richard was a part of was on the Manhatten Project in Los Alamos. His work was a very integral part of the atomic bomb but he goes about telling stories of how he is pretty much a practical joker and plays pranks all the time while working on the most serious of projects. His light heartedness and general demeanor cannot help but make you laugh. If you have ever read I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, this is kind of like a bunch of collective stories like that except from a much more intellectual and scientifically minded view. All the education in the world cannot teach you how to pick up women. But Richard learns from the most conspicuous character in his many travels, that if you treat a hot girl like dirt, she will stick to you like mud. Maybe you don't believe me, but you can't argue with a Nobel Prize Winner! Pick this book up for a good read about personal experience and one mans crazy journey through this thing called life. Rest in peace Richard Feynman you are truly a gem!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Catcher in the Rye, author J. D. Salinger
So I went out on a limb and took up a challenge from a friend of mine to read what is a so called "American Classic". The book is The Catcher in the Rye. This is read by children in schools all over North America and is regarded highly by critics, for what reason I am entirely unsure. You can find it on Amazon here http://www.amazon.ca/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297968223&sr=8-1.
So I first off have to thank my friend Ian Torry for challenging me to read this novel. I would like to thank him with a quick punch to the nut sack. This book might possibly be the most useless and boring piece of fiction I have ever read. It is about a boy who gets kicked out of school and you follow his life as he heads home for winter vacation a few days early before his parents can find out he has been kicked out. Seems alright from there and the premise, although not my cup of tea, is not too terrible. It is the fact that this entire book is written from this little bastards point of view. I have to listen to him constantly comment on how he hates people who seem to be his friends, and then constantly saying but hey I put up with it because I am a nice guy. From start to finish there seems to be no big point, he doesn't come to some life changing revelation or have anything of worth even happen to him. Its more like a random string of events with this little kid I hate commenting and narrating his way through, all be it, some pretty weird situations. I mean who orders a prostitute then decides hey thanks for coming but I am not really in the mood. Especially when all this young man can talk about is how awesome he is, and how sexy he is. If I ran into this kid on the street I guarantee you he would have one of those faces you just want to punch. If this book had been any more than 210 pages long I might have opted to quit my entire literature run here just 5 books in. But then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, the last page and was henceforth saved from the unbearable pain.
My suggestion if you ever buy this book, use it to prop up a desk, or burn it. The warmth provided by this book burning will surely be more useful to you than the zero bars of enjoyment this book will give you if you read it. For those who had to read this during their time at school, I feel for you. We can start a support group together just to overcome the sheer awfulness that we were forced to endure. Be ready Ian, next time I see you a junk punch is in order.
So I first off have to thank my friend Ian Torry for challenging me to read this novel. I would like to thank him with a quick punch to the nut sack. This book might possibly be the most useless and boring piece of fiction I have ever read. It is about a boy who gets kicked out of school and you follow his life as he heads home for winter vacation a few days early before his parents can find out he has been kicked out. Seems alright from there and the premise, although not my cup of tea, is not too terrible. It is the fact that this entire book is written from this little bastards point of view. I have to listen to him constantly comment on how he hates people who seem to be his friends, and then constantly saying but hey I put up with it because I am a nice guy. From start to finish there seems to be no big point, he doesn't come to some life changing revelation or have anything of worth even happen to him. Its more like a random string of events with this little kid I hate commenting and narrating his way through, all be it, some pretty weird situations. I mean who orders a prostitute then decides hey thanks for coming but I am not really in the mood. Especially when all this young man can talk about is how awesome he is, and how sexy he is. If I ran into this kid on the street I guarantee you he would have one of those faces you just want to punch. If this book had been any more than 210 pages long I might have opted to quit my entire literature run here just 5 books in. But then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, the last page and was henceforth saved from the unbearable pain.
My suggestion if you ever buy this book, use it to prop up a desk, or burn it. The warmth provided by this book burning will surely be more useful to you than the zero bars of enjoyment this book will give you if you read it. For those who had to read this during their time at school, I feel for you. We can start a support group together just to overcome the sheer awfulness that we were forced to endure. Be ready Ian, next time I see you a junk punch is in order.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Zero, author Charles Seife
Sticking with my nerdy theme as of late, the book I have chosen this time around is called Zero. Zero was written by Charles Seife, a mathematician who also has his Doctorate in journalism. The book is named "The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" but how dangerous can one silly number be? The answers inside the book may surprise and shock you. You can find this book on Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Biography-Dangerous-Charles-Seife/dp/0140296476.
This book documents the progression of the number zero through the ages. Now I know what you are thinking, how can you even begin to follow the progression of a single number. More importantly how can there even be a history of a number other than, boom the number was invented, end of story. The revelations in are quite intriguing for the budding mathematician and the historian alike. If this book was about any other number it would be rather dull and boring. A limp noodle of a book one might say. But the idea of nothing or zero, is quite different. One might argue that the thought of nothingness philosophically is quite terrifying to most people. The book goes into such topics as philosophy, history, religion and my favorite pure mathematics. Seife talks about how the concept of zero sparked such ingenuity's as Calculus and scared away such brilliant minds as Einstein. He argues that most religion is based on the concept of zero, for the thought of nothing after our lives are over, is terrifying to most people. Where as the eternal or infinite, zero's twin, is a much easier pill to swallow. Most of the book refers to the "dance" between zero and infinite and how they are two sides of the same coin. Alpha and Omega, Yin and Yang, the never ending battle that occurs between these titanic twin ideals. I would say that this book is more philosophical and historical than it is mathematical but you can not help but see the beauty in the way Seife presents the ideas within. I have to say that this is my favorite read thus far and being only 5 books in I guess that is not saying much. But this will be a hard one to top and being only 213 pages long and costing only $10 you would be silly not to pick this one up and give it a read.
Now I have to include this wonderful little proof that essentially allows me to prove anything in the universe using a little bit of logic, although if you look carefully I will make a mistake which of course in the end nullifies my proof. The question is can you spot it?
Let a and b each be equal to 1, since a and b are equal it follows that,
b^2 = ab and
a^2 = a^2
Now subtract the 1st equation from the 2nd to get
a^2 - b^2 = a^2 - ab
Factoring this we get
(a + b)(a - b) = a(a - b)
Dividing by (a - b) we get
a + b = a
Subtract a to get
b = 0
But I set b = 1 at the very start how can 1 = 0???
Using this trickery I can essentially prove anything in the universe I would like, the power of zero reigns supreme!!!! Alas I may have provided you with the solution to my little trick and given away my diabolical plan. I guess you can't win them all. But oh the fun we can have with math!
This book documents the progression of the number zero through the ages. Now I know what you are thinking, how can you even begin to follow the progression of a single number. More importantly how can there even be a history of a number other than, boom the number was invented, end of story. The revelations in are quite intriguing for the budding mathematician and the historian alike. If this book was about any other number it would be rather dull and boring. A limp noodle of a book one might say. But the idea of nothing or zero, is quite different. One might argue that the thought of nothingness philosophically is quite terrifying to most people. The book goes into such topics as philosophy, history, religion and my favorite pure mathematics. Seife talks about how the concept of zero sparked such ingenuity's as Calculus and scared away such brilliant minds as Einstein. He argues that most religion is based on the concept of zero, for the thought of nothing after our lives are over, is terrifying to most people. Where as the eternal or infinite, zero's twin, is a much easier pill to swallow. Most of the book refers to the "dance" between zero and infinite and how they are two sides of the same coin. Alpha and Omega, Yin and Yang, the never ending battle that occurs between these titanic twin ideals. I would say that this book is more philosophical and historical than it is mathematical but you can not help but see the beauty in the way Seife presents the ideas within. I have to say that this is my favorite read thus far and being only 5 books in I guess that is not saying much. But this will be a hard one to top and being only 213 pages long and costing only $10 you would be silly not to pick this one up and give it a read.
Now I have to include this wonderful little proof that essentially allows me to prove anything in the universe using a little bit of logic, although if you look carefully I will make a mistake which of course in the end nullifies my proof. The question is can you spot it?
Let a and b each be equal to 1, since a and b are equal it follows that,
b^2 = ab and
a^2 = a^2
Now subtract the 1st equation from the 2nd to get
a^2 - b^2 = a^2 - ab
Factoring this we get
(a + b)(a - b) = a(a - b)
Dividing by (a - b) we get
a + b = a
Subtract a to get
b = 0
But I set b = 1 at the very start how can 1 = 0???
Using this trickery I can essentially prove anything in the universe I would like, the power of zero reigns supreme!!!! Alas I may have provided you with the solution to my little trick and given away my diabolical plan. I guess you can't win them all. But oh the fun we can have with math!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Code Book, author Simon Singh
So because we almost got lost in a world of fiction last time, I have decided to right the ship and bring us back to reality and jump into a subject that I personally find intensely interesting. I have chosen The Code Book written by Simon Singh. This is a book based entirely around the science of cryptography and takes you on a journey from ancient Egypt, to the modern world where we are immersed in Internet encryption. You can find this book on Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Code-Book-Science-Secrecy-Cryptography/dp/0385495323/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297187656&sr=1-1.
So despite the fact that reviews are supposed to be completely unbiased. I don't care, this is my blog and I will be as gosh darn biased as I so choose and there is nothing you can do about it. So this book is largely about Math and the science of cryptography, does that mean that I will automatically love it? @#$% yes it does. So if you were ever curious about writing secret messages and what role this fine art has played throughout history, then this book is right up your alley. Have you ever heard of Mary, Queen of Scots? I am sure you have but did you know that she died because of the failure of her cipher and the breakthroughs of code beakers? I bet you didn't! How about the immensely huge role that cryptography played in the two most massive military battles waged on our planet? I mean the intelligent person would always assume that secret messages would have to have been encrypted and passed between high ranking members of the army during those times, but the sheer amount of effort that was put into mastering the art of code breaking is truly breath taking. While most of the young men were off fighting equally important military campaigns, there was a huge intellectual battle engaged between the allies and their respective enemies. It is just awesome for a nerd such as myself to see that these battles were equally as important and that science and technology has played such a huge role for millenia. Singh does a very comprehensive overview of every major cryptological battle between the code makers and breakers since the dawn of the science itself in ancient Egypt. He even has a chapter dedicated to an unsolved code that teases the reader with a grandiose story of gold and riches buried somewhere in the southern United States. Again only a basic understanding of math is required to truly appreciate this book. I know all of you were forced to take Math 10 in high school, so there is no excuse, you are able to do algebra and thus can read and understand this book also!!! At the end of the book he even dives into what an integral role in ALL of our lives encryption and this art has become. I try to tell people all the time that math is the most important subject in every ones lives but usually I just get laughs and giggles. Assholes, but Singh truly shows you how important these things are in the everyday lives of people just like you.
To summarize: Are secret codes cool? Yes. Should you read this so we can pass super awesome secret notes to each other? Yes. Does reading this book make you smarter than your friends? Yes. Finally, does math rule the world? @#@$ YES! Everyone go out and read this book, it will open your eyes to truly tantalizing art form and give you perspective on your world and the things you take for granted.
So now that I have reviewed the first 4 books that I have read this year, I must get back to reading as I have fallen slightly behind my one book per week deadline. Although the next book I chose isn't very long, so hopefully with any luck you will not have to wait long for my truly on the edge of your seat review of it.
So despite the fact that reviews are supposed to be completely unbiased. I don't care, this is my blog and I will be as gosh darn biased as I so choose and there is nothing you can do about it. So this book is largely about Math and the science of cryptography, does that mean that I will automatically love it? @#$% yes it does. So if you were ever curious about writing secret messages and what role this fine art has played throughout history, then this book is right up your alley. Have you ever heard of Mary, Queen of Scots? I am sure you have but did you know that she died because of the failure of her cipher and the breakthroughs of code beakers? I bet you didn't! How about the immensely huge role that cryptography played in the two most massive military battles waged on our planet? I mean the intelligent person would always assume that secret messages would have to have been encrypted and passed between high ranking members of the army during those times, but the sheer amount of effort that was put into mastering the art of code breaking is truly breath taking. While most of the young men were off fighting equally important military campaigns, there was a huge intellectual battle engaged between the allies and their respective enemies. It is just awesome for a nerd such as myself to see that these battles were equally as important and that science and technology has played such a huge role for millenia. Singh does a very comprehensive overview of every major cryptological battle between the code makers and breakers since the dawn of the science itself in ancient Egypt. He even has a chapter dedicated to an unsolved code that teases the reader with a grandiose story of gold and riches buried somewhere in the southern United States. Again only a basic understanding of math is required to truly appreciate this book. I know all of you were forced to take Math 10 in high school, so there is no excuse, you are able to do algebra and thus can read and understand this book also!!! At the end of the book he even dives into what an integral role in ALL of our lives encryption and this art has become. I try to tell people all the time that math is the most important subject in every ones lives but usually I just get laughs and giggles. Assholes, but Singh truly shows you how important these things are in the everyday lives of people just like you.
To summarize: Are secret codes cool? Yes. Should you read this so we can pass super awesome secret notes to each other? Yes. Does reading this book make you smarter than your friends? Yes. Finally, does math rule the world? @#@$ YES! Everyone go out and read this book, it will open your eyes to truly tantalizing art form and give you perspective on your world and the things you take for granted.
So now that I have reviewed the first 4 books that I have read this year, I must get back to reading as I have fallen slightly behind my one book per week deadline. Although the next book I chose isn't very long, so hopefully with any luck you will not have to wait long for my truly on the edge of your seat review of it.
The Dragon Reborn, author Robert Jordan
The follow up to my power house physics boys Hawking and Einstein, is none other than Tolkien v2.0 Robert Jordan. The Dragon Reborn is the 3rd book in The Wheel of Time series and it follows a group of young friends from Edmond's field as they continue to discover they are the most important people in the world. The Wheel of Time series is probably the second most famous series of all time, standing dwarfed only by The Lord of the Rings. Of which whom everyone and their mom has probably read. You can buy this book from Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Reborn-Wheel-Time-Book/dp/0812513711.
So obviously I have read the first two books in the series and the third book picks right up where the last two left off. Now for those of you who have not read fantasy novels before I am gonna give you a quick breakdown of a few general rules of thumb that almost every fantasy novel I have read follow. First is that yes there are fantastic creatures and magic is everywhere in a sense. The second is that almost always some grand catastrophe thousands of years previous to the timeline of the books has caused magic to become a rarity and something that everyone is terrified of, or just simply doesn't believe in. The main characters are almost always some random Joes and Marys from some small towns in the middle of nowhere who are dumbfounded to find out that "OMG I m teh heroz?!?". There is usually some grand vague prophecy about how this young man or woman is destined to save the world. The heroes usually do not want to be the hero, they are usually chucked into the fray by some old cunning wise person who always knows more than they will ever let on in the book. Oh yes, and always you aren't just fighting to save your country or friends. You are fighting to save the world from the ultimate evil. Boom, now that we have passed Fantasy Novels 101 I will get into why I loved and hated this novel all at the same.
By this third installment we have around 10-12 MAIN characters, these aren't just randoms who pop up, they are full blown characters with intriguing story lines of their own. Now Jordan has created this world to be so massive that at times it is kind of hard to keep up. There is literally so much crap going on that you may in fact get a little dizzy with all the bouncing around between groups and characters. The real issue I have is that the main characters whine constantly. They are these young farm boys who cry about there situation and just want to go back to the farm to tend to their sheep. Sheep.... really?? You are the first wizard born in a thousand years, who has the most bad ass powers on the planet and all you can do is sit and cry about it? Although technically all three of the main main male characters are slowly going insane. There is no reason to whine constantly, yeah the Dark One is trying to take over the world but come on buck up kick some ass, take some names, and show him who is boss in this world. Which of course they do reluctantly.
Now onto the good. These books are literally so well put together, you feel like you are reading a history book. That is the reason Robert Jordan is often referred to as the second coming of Tolkien. He has built a world so vast with so much history and depth that it is just awesome to behold. Although I eluded to the fact that so many main characters is a flaw, its also really quite impressive. I can barely write a blog where I am discussing one thing where as Jordan has intricately woven the story lines of dozens of characters together into a really amazing story. Now to finish this would not be the first fantasy series I suggest you read if you are a rookie, but they are pretty good reads and the depth is truly amazing. Now when is this series gonna be made into a movie? Oh wait no thank you, I do not want to watch 13 movies.... or do I??
So obviously I have read the first two books in the series and the third book picks right up where the last two left off. Now for those of you who have not read fantasy novels before I am gonna give you a quick breakdown of a few general rules of thumb that almost every fantasy novel I have read follow. First is that yes there are fantastic creatures and magic is everywhere in a sense. The second is that almost always some grand catastrophe thousands of years previous to the timeline of the books has caused magic to become a rarity and something that everyone is terrified of, or just simply doesn't believe in. The main characters are almost always some random Joes and Marys from some small towns in the middle of nowhere who are dumbfounded to find out that "OMG I m teh heroz?!?". There is usually some grand vague prophecy about how this young man or woman is destined to save the world. The heroes usually do not want to be the hero, they are usually chucked into the fray by some old cunning wise person who always knows more than they will ever let on in the book. Oh yes, and always you aren't just fighting to save your country or friends. You are fighting to save the world from the ultimate evil. Boom, now that we have passed Fantasy Novels 101 I will get into why I loved and hated this novel all at the same.
By this third installment we have around 10-12 MAIN characters, these aren't just randoms who pop up, they are full blown characters with intriguing story lines of their own. Now Jordan has created this world to be so massive that at times it is kind of hard to keep up. There is literally so much crap going on that you may in fact get a little dizzy with all the bouncing around between groups and characters. The real issue I have is that the main characters whine constantly. They are these young farm boys who cry about there situation and just want to go back to the farm to tend to their sheep. Sheep.... really?? You are the first wizard born in a thousand years, who has the most bad ass powers on the planet and all you can do is sit and cry about it? Although technically all three of the main main male characters are slowly going insane. There is no reason to whine constantly, yeah the Dark One is trying to take over the world but come on buck up kick some ass, take some names, and show him who is boss in this world. Which of course they do reluctantly.
Now onto the good. These books are literally so well put together, you feel like you are reading a history book. That is the reason Robert Jordan is often referred to as the second coming of Tolkien. He has built a world so vast with so much history and depth that it is just awesome to behold. Although I eluded to the fact that so many main characters is a flaw, its also really quite impressive. I can barely write a blog where I am discussing one thing where as Jordan has intricately woven the story lines of dozens of characters together into a really amazing story. Now to finish this would not be the first fantasy series I suggest you read if you are a rookie, but they are pretty good reads and the depth is truly amazing. Now when is this series gonna be made into a movie? Oh wait no thank you, I do not want to watch 13 movies.... or do I??
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Brief History of Time, author Stephen Hawking
Who do I dare follow up Albert Einstein with?!? Why the master of space and time thats who!!! Stephen Hawking himself. A Brief History of Time is Stephen Hawking's first trip into the public's literary gauntlet and although it was originally published in 1988, I personally bought the updated and expanded 10th anniversary edition. This means I get some updated insights from the master himself. One can find this book at http://www.amazon.ca/Brief-History-Time-Expanded-Anniversary/dp/0553380168.
The best part about this book is how it is not just about the many accomplishments of his career, he goes out of his way to essentially weave together how modern physics came to be. He starts from the beginning and builds his way to world where people are willing to accept his ideas, unlike many of his predecessors. I enjoy reading about successful theoretical physicists, because unlike their experimental counter parts, they have no solid evidence other than ideas and mathematical proofs. Hawking shows how he and other scientists before him predicted the wonders of Neutron Stars, and Black Holes long before they could have ever been found. It is in this beauty of mathematics and physics that I find so interesting. He explains one of the main goals of theoretical physics today the search for the GUT. The Grand Unified Theory is what many are searching for, a way to combine Quantum Mechanics with General Relativity. Again like the Einstein book I read previously, despite popular belief anyone with just a very elementary understanding of science will be able to read this book and be awed by it. At the end of his book he puts in some little blurps about some very famous physicists before him, my favorite is how everyone hates Isaac Newton. People constantly describe him as horrible to be around and a man who pretty much went out of his way to make sure if he didn't like you, you were not going to be an academic. Great use of power Isaac!! There is just so many facets of Theoretical Astro-Physics explained herein that you feel you might just be a little smarter after you read this. Most importantly after you are done you can truly say that just like Stephen Hawking you too now know about Black Holes and @#$#.
The best part about this book is how it is not just about the many accomplishments of his career, he goes out of his way to essentially weave together how modern physics came to be. He starts from the beginning and builds his way to world where people are willing to accept his ideas, unlike many of his predecessors. I enjoy reading about successful theoretical physicists, because unlike their experimental counter parts, they have no solid evidence other than ideas and mathematical proofs. Hawking shows how he and other scientists before him predicted the wonders of Neutron Stars, and Black Holes long before they could have ever been found. It is in this beauty of mathematics and physics that I find so interesting. He explains one of the main goals of theoretical physics today the search for the GUT. The Grand Unified Theory is what many are searching for, a way to combine Quantum Mechanics with General Relativity. Again like the Einstein book I read previously, despite popular belief anyone with just a very elementary understanding of science will be able to read this book and be awed by it. At the end of his book he puts in some little blurps about some very famous physicists before him, my favorite is how everyone hates Isaac Newton. People constantly describe him as horrible to be around and a man who pretty much went out of his way to make sure if he didn't like you, you were not going to be an academic. Great use of power Isaac!! There is just so many facets of Theoretical Astro-Physics explained herein that you feel you might just be a little smarter after you read this. Most importantly after you are done you can truly say that just like Stephen Hawking you too now know about Black Holes and @#$#.
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