David Bodanis

Electric universe

The use of electricity pervades modern society. However, each electric device is the result of a great deal of research and in this book David Bodanis gives the stories of some of the most prominent of these discoveries. Thus we find out about the telegraph and telephone, radio and radar and the early development of transistors and computers. The final section relates to electricity in nerves and the brain. Bodanis does very well in weaving the discoveries in with the details of the lives of the people concerned, and so bringing the science of everyday devices to a non-technical readership.

One thing that rather irritated me though was the 'simplified' description of what happens on the scale of electrons, which I felt often made things more confusing, especially since most readers will be familiar with the workings of the devices concerned anyway. For instance radar is described as forcing electrons in the target to jostle around and thus transmitting a signal that can be detected. Why couldn't he just say that the radio beam is reflected? Also I didn't really think that the chapter on moods fitted in to the theme of the book. OK most things are related to electricity, but I felt Bodanis could have chosen something more directly relevant.

Amazon.com info

Hardcover 320 pages
ISBN: 0316861820
Salesrank: 1211499
Weight:0.88 lbs

Published: 2005 Little, Brown

Marketplace:New from $10.98:Used from $10.97

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 320 pages
ISBN: 0316861820
Salesrank: 340152
Weight:0.88 lbs

Published: 2005 Little, Brown

Amazon price £14.24

Marketplace:New from £0.99:Used from £0.88

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Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 320 pages
ISBN: 0316861820
Salesrank:
Weight:0.88 lbs

Published: 2004 Little Brown

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 18.01:Used from CDN$ 19.01

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Download Description
In his bestselling E=mc2, David Bodanis led us, with astonishing ease, through the world’s most famous equation. Now, in Electric Universe, he illuminates the wondrous yet invisible force that permeates our universe—and introduces us to the virtuoso scientists who plumbed its secrets. For centuries, electricity was seen as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. In harnessing its power, we have created a world of wonders—complete with roller coasters and radar, computer networks and psychopharmaceuticals. A superb storyteller, Bodanis weaves tales of romance, divine inspiration, and fraud through lucid accounts of scientific breakthroughs. The great discoverers come to life in all their brilliance and idiosyncrasy, including the visionary Michael Faraday, who struggled against the prejudices of the British class system, and Samuel Morse, a painter who, before inventing the telegraph, ran for mayor of New York City on a platform of persecuting Catholics. Here too is Alan Turing, whose dream of a marvelous thinking machine—what we know as the computer—was met with indifference, and who ended his life in despair after British authorities forced him to undergo experimental treatments to “cure” his homosexuality. From the frigid waters of the Atlantic to the streets of Hamburg during a World War II firestorm to the interior of the human body, Electric Universe is a mesmerizing journey of discovery by a master science writer

Download Description

In his bestselling E=mc2, David Bodanis led us, with astonishing ease, through the world’s most famous equation. Now, in Electric Universe, he illuminates the wondrous yet invisible force that permeates our universe—and introduces us to the virtuoso scientists who plumbed its secrets.

For centuries, electricity was seen as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. In harnessing its power, we have created a world of wonders—complete with roller coasters and radar, computer networks and psychopharmaceuticals.

A superb storyteller, Bodanis weaves tales of romance, divine inspiration, and fraud through lucid accounts of scientific breakthroughs. The great discoverers come to life in all their brilliance and idiosyncrasy, including the visionary Michael Faraday, who struggled against the prejudices of the British class system, and Samuel Morse, a painter who, before inventing the telegraph, ran for mayor of New York City on a platform of persecuting Catholics. Here too is Alan Turing, whose dream of a marvelous thinking machine—what we know as the computer—was met with indifference, and who ended his life in despair after British authorities forced him to undergo experimental treatments to “cure” his homosexuality.

From the frigid waters of the Atlantic to the streets of Hamburg during a World War II firestorm to the interior of the human body, Electric Universe is a mesmerizing journey of discovery by a master science writer

Electricity made simple (and fun) *****
This audio is an entertaining look at how electricity works and affects our daily lives. Bodanis's uses analogies that make this subject understandable. He examines electricity's development along with providing short biographies of Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Guglielmo Marconi, Heinrich Herz and other pioneers. Bodanis also describes early failures and setbacks that resulted in eventual breakthroughs. A superb storyteller, Bodanis includes tales of romance, hard work, and fraud in the development of modern electrical applications. Bodanis taught at the University of Oxford for many years.

Electricity made simple (and fun) *****

This audio is an entertaining look at how electricity works and affects our daily lives. Bodanis's uses analogies that make this subject understandable. He examines electricity's development along with providing short biographies of Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Guglielmo Marconi, Heinrich Herz and other pioneers. Bodanis also describes early failures and setbacks that resulted in eventual breakthroughs. A superb storyteller, Bodanis includes tales of romance, hard work, and fraud in the development of modern electrical applications. Bodanis taught at the University of Oxford for many years.

a great history of the pioneers of electricity ***
From the subtitle of this book, 'how electricity switched on the modern world', I was expecting much more of a history of the application of electricity. I wanted to know how it spread, how it came to insinuate itself into every aspect of our work and leisure. Although there is some of this, particularly with the telegraph, this book is actually a history of the discovery of electricity, of men and their experiments. It's still fascinating, and full of anecdotes and stories. If I was a scientist I'm sure I would scoff at the explanations of what electricity is and what it does, but I'm not, so I appreciate the layman's terms. I learned plenty, especially in the later chapters as Bodanis explains electricity's role in biology and psychology. They didn't teach me that in school. Or if they did I wasn't paying attention. It's a fine book, and very readable. I just thought I ought to clarify that subtitle.

a great history of the pioneers of electricity ***

From the subtitle of this book, 'how electricity switched on the modern world', I was expecting much more of a history of the application of electricity. I wanted to know how it spread, how it came to insinuate itself into every aspect of our work and leisure. Although there is some of this, particularly with the telegraph, this book is actually a history of the discovery of electricity, of men and their experiments.
It's still fascinating, and full of anecdotes and stories. If I was a scientist I'm sure I would scoff at the explanations of what electricity is and what it does, but I'm not, so I appreciate the layman's terms. I learned plenty, especially in the later chapters as Bodanis explains electricity's role in biology and psychology. They didn't teach me that in school. Or if they did I wasn't paying attention.
It's a fine book, and very readable. I just thought I ought to clarify that subtitle.

Superb book *****
Don't be put off by the churlish sniffy purist reviews.It is a book for people who are beginning to be interested in the history of science,not the "experts".It's well-written, accessible, and treats the reader as an intelligent non-specialist human being. Fully deserves the award.The chapter on Alan Turing is brilliantly informative, and very moving.You've got to be a good writer to pull that of.

Superb book *****

Don't be put off by the churlish sniffy purist reviews.It is a book for people who are beginning to be interested in the history of science,not the "experts".It's well-written, accessible, and treats the reader as an intelligent non-specialist human being. Fully deserves the award.The chapter on Alan Turing is brilliantly informative, and very moving.You've got to be a good writer to pull that of.

Makes you want to learn more *****
I loved this book and couldn't put it down.It helped me to understand the basics behind radio, radar, computers, nerves in the body, telegraphs and telephones to name but a few. These are things I've always wanted to understand.True at times it doesn't go into very detailed theory but this book is meant to be an overview of electricity and would be difficult to satisfy everyone in one book and it is in no way overly simple. After reading it it has given me the desire to learn even more and I believe it is a great introduction to the subject.

Makes you want to learn more *****

I loved this book and couldn't put it down.It helped me to understand the basics behind radio, radar, computers, nerves in the body, telegraphs and telephones to name but a few. These are things I've always wanted to understand.True at times it doesn't go into very detailed theory but this book is meant to be an overview of electricity and would be difficult to satisfy everyone in one book and it is in no way overly simple. After reading it it has given me the desire to learn even more and I believe it is a great introduction to the subject.

Superficial *
I fully agreee with the previous review. I cannot understand how this won. Of the books in this years long list that I have read, 'Empire of the Stars' looks to be far superior to this.

Superficial *

I fully agreee with the previous review. I cannot understand how this won. Of the books in this years long list that I have read, 'Empire of the Stars' looks to be far superior to this.

An exciting story *****
When I bought this book all I was hoping for was to learn some science without being bored to tears. Instead, I got a gripping adventure story I really enjoyed reading. The back of the book describes it as a "history of electricity", and it is true that the science is simplified - scientists might find it too simple, but for those who only want to know the basics it provides just enough information without turning into a lecture. The focus of the book is really more on the history; how our use of electricity developed, the people who came up with the ideas. The style is anecdotal, similar to Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything, with a lot of personal details which made me see these famous names in a new way. This book would be great for a teenager bored with science, for a science teacher who wants some tips on how to liven up lessons, or for anyone who'd like to learn the basics about electricity in a really enjoyable way.

An exciting story *****

When I bought this book all I was hoping for was to learn some science without being bored to tears. Instead, I got a gripping adventure story I really enjoyed reading.

The back of the book describes it as a "history of electricity", and it is true that the science is simplified - scientists might find it too simple, but for those who only want to know the basics it provides just enough information without turning into a lecture.

The focus of the book is really more on the history; how our use of electricity developed, the people who came up with the ideas. The style is anecdotal, similar to Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything, with a lot of personal details which made me see these famous names in a new way.

This book would be great for a teenager bored with science, for a science teacher who wants some tips on how to liven up lessons, or for anyone who'd like to learn the basics about electricity in a really enjoyable way.