Product Description

Magic Universe brings current science to the general reader in an imaginative and wholly original way. It offers an exhilarating tour of the horizons of knowledge, from quarks to linguistics, climate change to cloning, and chaos to superstrings, presented as a set of self-contained stories. The stories are arranged as A - Z entries, but this is not a conventional encyclopedia. Each story unfolds in a totally unpredictable way, seamlessly crossing disciplines, and told in engaging, accessible language. Here is a celebration of the reunion of the many subdivisions of science now in progress. 'The magic of the Universe reveals itself in the interconnections', Calder tells us. 'A repertoire of tricks let loose in the Big Bang will make you a planet or a parakeet. In some sense only dimly understood so far, the magic works for our benefit overall, whilst it amazes and puzzles us in the particulars. Natural conjuring that links comets with life, genomes with continental drift, iron ore with dementia, and particle physics with cloudiness, mocks the specialists.' The stories can be read and enjoyed in any order. Perhaps you will start with Alcohol - 'genetic revelations of when yeast invented booze'. Or Prions -'from cannibals and mad cows to new modes of heredity and evolution'. Or maybe Higgs bosons - 'the multi-billion-dollar quest for the mass-maker'. Wherever you begin - and you can begin anywhere - you can be sure of an engrossing and a surprising voyage of discovery. As Nigel Calder puts it, the best of science is romantically exciting, and also illuminating - so why trouble busy readers with anything that isn't?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #820265 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 768 pages

Review
Here's evidence of a steady hand, a cool nerve and a clear sense of what matters...Nigel Calder is a science writer with a superb record and immense experience...Dip and dart. Malcolm Smith, Guardian A must for every student of science, and the ideal compendium for non-scientists of any age trying to keep abreast. John Cornwell, Sunday Times In this compendium he deals seriously yet entertainingly with just about every sicientific subject you can imagine, and many that you cannot...a solid reference source for many years to come. Independent Review

Review
`He is really exceptional in his energy, his range of comprehension, and his quality as a writer. . . . Nigel Calder remains supreme in his range and depth . . . he goes to immense trouble to get things right, and also takes pains with the clarity and elegance of his writing.' Sir Martin Rees, FRS, Astronomer Royal

`A must for every sixth-form and student of science, it is also the ideal compendium for non-scientists of any age who are trying to keep abreast.' John Cornwell, Sunday Times

`Magic Universe is a marvellous read...it can be enjoyed like a high-quality magazine' Mark Ridley, Times Literary Supplement

About the Author
Nigel Calder began his writing career on the original staff of New Scientist, in 1956. He was Editor of the magazine from 1962 to 1966, when he left to become an independent science writer. His subsequent career has involved spotting, reporting, and explaining to the general public the big scientific discoveries of our time. He reached audiences world-wide when he conceived, scripted, and presented many ground-breaking science documentaries for BBC television. His pioneering role in taking viewers to the frontiers of discovery was recognized with the award of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science. Nigel Calder lives in Sussex with his wife Lizzie.

Customer Reviews

Spanning all of science
Nigel Calder is a distinguished polymath and author, whose interests for years have spanned all of modern science. Here, he demonstrates his intellect and eloquence in 756 pages of compelling prose.

You can't fail to be impressed by how well he covers both the biological and the physical sciences. It is really tough to do both well. Perhaps Calder is a good successor to the late Isaac Asimov.

Very suitable (and recommended) for a high school or undergraduate reading. I would claim that this book is best directed at the high school level. For it is there that students may decide to pursue further studies in science, or not. And even for those who do not, the book gives an excellent and authoritative broad spectrum education in science, that they can carry with them in good stead.