Science books recommendations

**God** · August 04, 2012, 05:07 PM

Basically looking for a good book on physics that requires little mathematical knowledge and will blow my mind. I'm finding most documentaries don't go into enough depth or just repeat the same stuff I know. (And BBC's Horizon has become especially bad, I watched one a while back where they used the phrase 'only a theory' in the way creationists use it

)

I read Briane Greene's 'The Elegant Universe' which I really liked. I'm a bit sceptical on string theory but I'm not really knowledgeable enough to judge. Thinking of getting Feynman's 'QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter'.

**Jack04** · August 06, 2012, 01:57 PM

Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw's two books (Why does E=mc² and The Quantum Universe) are quite good starters. They give a lot of the mathematics but only for completeness, it isn't actually necessary. Alternatively, for a more specific angle on modern particle physics, Knocking on Heaven's Door by Lisa Randall isn't a bad shout. If you really feel up to the challenge, Roger Penrose's Road to Reality covers everything in huge detail and, again, the maths can be skipped if you wish (though it probably isn't to be recommended). Then there are the books by the likes of Lee Smolin (The Trouble with Physics is a little out of date, but still a good read) which are more technical. Feynman's lectures are probably a reasonable starting point too but might require a little knowledge to start with.

Failing all of that, there are some fun ones, like "The Physics of Superheroes" which cover some fairly cool physics from a unique angle.

If you're wanting your mind blown for minimum effort though, Cox's books are probably the best place to start. If you're really prepared to knuckle down and put the effort in (and I'm serious, it is not an easy read) then Road to Reality is the most comprehensive.

Good luck.

Of course, the alternative is just to browse Wikipedia or ask around (or on here). There's a lot of stupendous stuff out there.

**God** · August 06, 2012, 03:25 PM

Thanks a lot, I'll look into them. Road to Reality might be a bit too difficult but I don't mind a bit of a challenge! Still leaning towards getting 'QED' but I'll probably get another later. Chose the wrong subjects at school *sigh*