The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick

Is it gauche to say that a cartoon book about physics is too simple? As a fan of both science and comics, as well as an admirer of Larry Gonick (who has a reputation for penning excellent illustrative works on a variety of science topics), I was looking forward to reading this book. To my disappointment, however, I found this book a bit too difficult for children, not that interesting for adults, and with little to offer and grab the attention of the teenage mind. So it wasn't clear to me who the audience is supposed to be. That said, if you enjoy quirky science discussions, then I would recommend that you pick up a Gonick book, though not this particular title.

2 out of 5 stars

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

This ingenious novel is nothing short of brilliant. Spanning a three month period in 1905 (April to June), this novel "recounts" a series of dreams that Albert Einstein has about time, as he is working on his special theory of relativity. Each chapter describes a different dream, with each dream allowing the young Einstein to analyze time from a different point of view (e.g. time flowing backwards; frozen time; relative time; time as a quality rather than a quantity, e.g.). This wonderful dreamscape is broken up on a few occasions when the reader is given tiny vignettes of Einstein's waking life. For most of the book, however, the reader is allowed to peer into Einstein's dreaming mind as he sleeps, while putting the finishing touches on his theory of time that would go on to revolutionize physics and change the world.

4 out of 5 stars

Naive. Super by Erlend Loe

This is a sweet book that is misleadingly simple. With easy to read language, the character ruminates on such topics as space, time, bouncing a ball on a wall, love, toys, travel and what makes some friends good and others bad. An enjoyable novel that is perfect for a weekend on the cottage or during a trip.

3 out of 5 stars

Universe on a T-Shirt: The Quest for the Theory of Everything by Dan Falk

A fascinating history of the scientific search for the Theory of Everything, i.e. a unifying theory that explains the structure of the universe. Ranging from the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus, who speculated that matter was formed by a basic entity called atomon – today we call them atoms – to the Copernican revolution in the middle ages, the development of Newtonian mechanics in the 17th and 18th centuries, the formation of electromagnetic theory in the 19th century, Einstein’s discovery of special and general relativity in the first-half of the 20th century, and the mind-blowing conclusions of quantum mechanics and string theory, this book is a captivating read.

After describing how scientists have searched for answers to such questions as “what is the universe? What is it made of? How did it begin? And how will it evolve?” Dan Falk concludes his book by discussing the limits of scientific knowledge, and what a Theory of Everything, if one is ever found, would mean. A great read for anyone interested in the history of physics and the latest theories of the structure of the universe.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

In Search of Time: Journeys Along a Curious Dimension by Dan Falk

This is a brilliant book that asks the question, "What is time?" In easy-to-read language, Dan Falk explains such mind-bending concepts as string theory, Einstein’s theory of relativity, the quest to build time machines and the view held by some physicists that time is an illusion.

Adding to this fascinating discussion are chapters on the development of the calendar, the creation of such concepts as “hour” and “second”, and a captivating discussion on the future of the universe and the human race. This book is a wonderful read that will capture the imagination of anyone who is interested in time and the fabric of reality.

4 out of 5 stars