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Rating: 
Summary: Makes Physics a Joy to read to the layman
Review: Do read this book. Even though it is a physics book, the author does not treat physics as a subject to be studied, pondered on, examined minutely- all of us carry the horror experiences from school and college classes. I picked this book after leafing through the foreword, where the author TonyRothman strikes an immediate chord with the reader. This is no ordinary physics book- the language is simple, the style humorous, the author very understanding and having a knack not to push things too hard. The book is an overview of the subject of physics. It charters the birth and growth of physics , from the greek times to the post-einstein period. Unlike other general books, the author sticks to the subject without going off in tangent on irrelevant issues. So, the book is not hefty. It's around 200 pages of neat print. The author tackles all the important theories of Physics in a fun and engaging manner. Newton's laws, Kepler's laws, Laws of thermodynamics, Electromagnetic laws, Einstein's theory of special relativity, atomic structure, Blackbody radition , photoelectric effect, Quantum mechanics, E=mc2; Wave theory, Light duality, Uncertainity principle, Einstein's general theory of relativity.
It's an amazing effort, since the book is addressed to the layman with little knowledge of physics. I am no physics buff. I read this book by serendipity and could never put it down. I strongly recommend this book. My only regret is that i should have got this book during my school years. Giving this as a gift to the teens in the house would be a wonderful idea too.
Rating:
Summary: Makes Physics a Joy to read to the layman
Review: Do read this book. Even though it is a physics book, the author does not treat physics as a subject to be studied, pondered on, examined minutely- all of us carry the horror experiences from school and college classes. I picked this book after leafing through the foreword, where the author TonyRothman strikes an immediate chord with the reader. This is no ordinary physics book- the language is simple, the style humorous, the author very understanding and having a knack not to push things too hard. The book is an overview of the subject of physics. It charters the birth and growth of physics , from the greek times to the post-einstein period. Unlike other general books, the author sticks to the subject without going off in tangent on irrelevant issues. So, the book is not hefty. It's around 200 pages of neat print. The author tackles all the important theories of Physics in a fun and engaging manner. Newton's laws, Kepler's laws, Laws of thermodynamics, Electromagnetic laws, Einstein's theory of special relativity, atomic structure, Blackbody radition , photoelectric effect, Quantum mechanics, E=mc2; Wave theory, Light duality, Uncertainity principle, Einstein's general theory of relativity.
It's an amazing effort, since the book is addressed to the layman with little knowledge of physics. I am no physics buff. I read this book by serendipity and could never put it down. I strongly recommend this book. My only regret is that i should have got this book during my school years. Giving this as a gift to the teens in the house would be a wonderful idea too.
Rating: 
Summary: Get the fundamentals of physics without calculus
Review: From Aristotle to Einstein, this book explains the science of Physics better than all the rest. With the knowlegde of simple algebra you can more than "get it," but you can understand it. If you are interested in physics, but can never understand all of the many equations and math involved, this is the book you've been looking for!
Rating:
Summary: Physics That Are Fun
Review: I don't understand physics very well. After reading this book, I think I understand physics better. It can be a difficult topic and Mr. Rothman's presentation was very clear, easy to follow, and fun. He has a good sense of humor which moves the book along and makes it much more enjoyable to read. In particular, in Instant Physics, Mr. Rothman covers a history of physics from the Ancient Greeks to the Modern World. In Greece, Mr. Rothman details the mistakes they made, and the great breakthroughs. He also takes the time to explain a little bit about the people who made these breakthroughs, and the events around them. Basically the world we come from influences how we view the Universe. Without changes in our world, many of the changes and advances in physics would not have happened. Mr. Rothman has written a good book, which explains physics well.
Rating:
Summary: In Honor of IndiAndy's Part One Review
Review: Instant Physics: Years ago I was browsing through the science section of my favorite bookstore when I opened this book casually leafing around it's pages when I came across the first sentence which begins the Introduction, "If you are a potential victim of this book, leafing through its pages while obstructing traffic in the science isle of your favorite bookstore, there is a good chance you took a physics course in the vanished days of your youth". What a cowinkydink huh? He goes on, "Perhaps you now want a refresher or perhaps, feeling guilty at your ignorance of the central role played by science in modern society, you merely wish to become a more cultured individual. In any case your knowledge of physics is inexcusably weak and, if you have indeed been exposed to the subject before, you probably regard the word `physics' as synonymous with `plague,' as in `to be avoided like the'." OK, I'm hooked! I flipped back to the dedication which almost makes me cry out in joy, "To my students, known and unknown. The known, who demonstrate with crushing directness that it is impossible to be too clear. The unknown, who suffer in silence." I believe that he is addressing myself: I am an unknown student who silently yearns for information that would be presented clearly, accessibly; information that I can process into comprehension. I have yet to take a formal Physics course at a college or university (members only please). I love being surprised! (Don't you?) Dr. Rothman delivers this humble students unsolicited silent plea for attention grabbing/attention keeping material in this succinct & concise presentation of the salient principles of the physical sciences. His wit, humor and sensitivity for the readers comfort over the hurdles of a seemingly steep learning curve are woven into the fabric of each page keeping the audience stimulated and giving you a sense that he wants you to participate in the great gift of learning. In the beginning of the book lies his statement of goals, "...the goal of this book cannot be to give you a working knowledge of physics.... the more modest goal of Instant Physics is to give you an idea of why physicists believe what they believe and to train you to use this sacred knowledge in the war against the infidel." (continued in part two)
Rating:
Summary: An amusing, surprisingly complete introduction
Review: This is a lot like other 'physics for beginners' books, with a few important differences. First, Tony Rothman is a good writer. He keeps the text light and fun. Exploring the secrets of matter and energy is easier when you have a sense of humor, and he knows it. Second, the basic facts appear at the beginning and end of each chapter for easy review. It's a convenient way to organize the book. Third and finally, Rothman dives right into the mathematics of physics without apology. Sure, this stuff can boggle your mind if you don't have a head for it. But I'd rather have them there, in the book, so I can see them. I've read too many 'physics for beginners' books without any equations and I had no idea just how complex the math is. With this book, I can see that it's not THAT hard. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in physics. It's one of the better introductions to the subject.
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Summary: The Cynic's Guide to Physics
Review: This is by far the best single volume book on physics that I have ever read. Not only does is provide an excellent overview of this often confusing science, it is (amazingly) funny and entertaining. This is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Get the fundamentals of physics without calculus
Review: This is one the best books on physics for the non-physicist I have ever seen. Written in a light, sardonic tone, Rothman dares to believe that a person might be sufficiently interested in learning esential physics to grapple with some basic algebra. Particularly interesting is how he manages to do this in the context of the unfolding history of physics; i.e. he teaches you the elements of physics at the same time as he teaches you much of its history. Stickle #1: The wisecracking can be obtrusive at times. Stickle#2: He gives philosophy much to short a shrift and squanders a lot of ink blaming Aristotle for physics' failure to advance faster. One wonders if he has ever read Thomas Kuhn's The Strucure of Scientific Revolutions or Michael Polanyi's Personal Knowledge. I personally would be interested to know what Dr. "Philosophy Is For Muddleheads" has to say about the quantum interpretation problem. Does he take the Copenhagen evasion? In sum: Why are these kinds of books on the shelves of Waldenbooks but not the University Bookstore? Learn physics from this book and do your own philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful all-in-one book about Physics
Review: Tony Rothman presents a unique style of explaining complex laws and theories using humor, intuitive imagery, and down-to earth illustrations. Find out what Special and General relativity actually state, what Quantum Electrodynamics is, and how Einstein got E=mc^2. Rothman's explanations are simple and often hilarious. All you need is some high-school algebra and you'll be on your way to Enlightenment
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Summary: Perfect Summer Refresher Before 1st-yr Undergrad Physics
Review: Yes, I know this book is supposed to introduce non-physics people to the fun of physics, but this isn't the book you should get. It tries too hard to be cute, and often it gets in the way of the teachings. The book you should get instead is the Cartoon Guide to Physics (also sold by Amazon, by the way). It's well illustrated (naturally), well written, and very informative.
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