3.28.2009
Physics for Future Presidents
by Richard Muller, hardcover, 224 pgs
Overall Grade: B-
Don't freak out when it says 'physics' in the title. By physics Muller means things like nuclear weapons, energy production, space exploration and so on. The hardest calculations shown are basic math or at the most algebra. Muller does a very good job presenting on the wide variety of topics - it obviously helps that he teaches them in a university-course. Much of it is only trying to dispel misinformed opinions on the various topics using an arsenal of facts. This, of course, means that you have to trust Muller as a self-stylized unbiased presenter of said facts. I'm not sure how much I believe that, but I will admit that a lot of people should read his sections on nuclear energy. Overall I liked it, except for his section on space exploration where he unabashedly sat on the side of robotic exploration. And yes, I know the arguments about cost and lives saved are true, but I could NEVER agree with him that people aren't fascinated by people in space. We are.
Labels: genre: non-fiction, genre: science, media: book
