Synopsis of Mathematics and Physics Books Reviewed in The TIMES Higher Education Supplement - (March 14 1997)
List of books in this synopsis of reviews:
Title: Introduction to Plasma Physics
Authors: R.J. Goldston , P.H.Rutherford
Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing
Size: 491 pp
ISBN: 0 7503 0325 5 and 0 7503 0183 X
Price: 98.00 pounds Hardback, 29.50 pounds Paperback
Reviewer: Roger Blandford – Professor of Theoretical Physics at California Institute of Technology
Level: Final Year Undergraduates / Postgraduates starting research in Plasma Physics
Overall assessment of the book by the reviewer: Favorable on the whole
The book is based on a series of university lectures – the authors both work at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. The standard topics are covered
The mathematics is manageable by anyone with a good basic grounding in classical dynamics, electromagnetic theory, vector calculus and complex variable calculus. The treatment of Hamiltonian maps is covered with simple examples supplemented by graphical illustrations provided by the software on the accompanying floppy disk – the reviewer liked this innovative approach to the subject.
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Title: An Introduction to Special Relativity and Its Applications
Author: F.N.H.Robinson
Publisher: World Scientific
Size: 183 pp
ISBN: 981 02 2499 0
Price: 20.00 pounds
Reviewer: Malcolm McCausland – former honorary fellow in physics University of Manchester
Level: Follow on to an introductory course on relativity
Overall assessment of the book by the reviewer: Enthusiastic recommendation for those prepared to think hard about the topic
The goal of the book is to emphasise the basic ideas of Special Relativity, the consequences of these ideas and their application to domains other than particle physics. This is an elementary, but not an introductory book. It is terse in style and makes considerable intellectual demands on the reader new to the subject.
Topics covered include
The reviewer appreciates the use of concrete examples and the clear way in which subtle and complex issues raised when the theory is applied to concrete cases are discussed.
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Title: In Search of the Ultimate Building Blocks
Author: Gerard ‘t Hooft:
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Size: 191 pp
ISBN: 0 521 55083 1 and 0 521 57883 3
Price: 27.95 pounds Hardback , 9.95 pounds Paperback
Reviewer: Valerie A. Noyes – Research Fellow in Particle Physics – University of Oxford
Level: Scientifically literate general readers interested in Particle Physics
Overall assessment of the book by the reviewer: Worth reading on the whole
‘t Hooft is one of the great modern theoretical physicists – he developed some of the fundamental theories underlying our conceptualisation of weak and strong forces. This book is an attempt to bring the essence of theoretical paraticle physics to a lay audience – always a difficult undertaking. The reviewer recommends that the book be "best enjoyed as a story of the development of theoretical ideas , packed with colourful analogies, lively anecdotes and personal reflections. Especially enjoyable were ‘t Hooft’s personal reflections recalling the era between 1970 and 1976 when great progress in theoretical particle physics occurred.
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Author: Clifford A. Pickover
Publisher: John Wiley
Size: 332 pp
ISBN: 0 471 11857 5
Price: 17.99 pounds
Reviewer: Lincoln Wallen – fellow in computation St. Catherine’s College Oxford
Level: Anyone with a young and inquisitive mind (whatever their real age) with an enthusiasm for Mathematics and Puzzles, including computer hobbyists
Overall assessment of the book by the reviewer: Warm , appreciative and enthusiastic ( the tone of the review conveys the spirit of the book)
The book attempts to convey a sense of the infinite. It sets about doing this by providing a collection of "puzzles, quotes, facts about numbers and mathematical and scientific analysis". These "provide access to the infinite through language, computational process and thought experiment" - a point that the reviewer repeats several times. The discussion includes Fractals, as well as computational examples and experiments. It also includes solutions and speculations from Clifford Pickover’s many friends and colleagues.
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Title: Before the Beginning: Our Universe and Others
Author: Martin Rees
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Size: 282 pp
ISBN: 0 684 81682 2
Price: 16.99 pounds
Reviewer: Sir Fred Hoyle – formerly Plumian Professor of Astronomy – University of Cambridge
Level: Scientifically literate readers with a passionate interest in astronomy
Overall assessment of the book by the reviewer: An appreciative review with many personal insights (do read the review – it’s most fine ) into the development of the field. Possibly a hint of sadness, as might be expected, when a great astronomer looks at how his younger contemporaries are trying to reach an overall understanding of the cosmos.
Martin Rees is the Astronomer Royal. In this book he attempts to explain (to non specialists) what is meant by the big bang. This is done by considering a series of topics, arranged in chapters – each topic being clearly explained, and a conclusion drawn. I almost think that Sir Fred would have liked to write this book himself. So, if you want to know more then read his review, and go buy the book !!
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Title: The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy
Editor: Michael Hoskin
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Size: 392pp
ISBN: 0 521 41158 0
Price: 24.95 pounds
Reviewer: Martin Ince - Deputy Editor of the Times Higher Education Supplement
Level: Everybody interested in the history of the development of Astonomy
Overall assessment of the book by the reviewer: A generally excellent book
Apart from some omissions (some of the images and results from the Hubble Telescope could have had greater coverage) the range of topics covered is very broad. The practical applications of astronomy over the ages, as well as the history of astronomical discoveries are all dealt with. The book has a very interesting section on Islamic astronomy and describes the great contributions to this area of science made by Muslim scholars. The book contains many little gems such as how to use an astrolabe, and how astronomy can be used to discover latitude at sea. Modern developments in astronomy that have led to an appreciation of just how dynamic the universe is are well covered too.
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