Six Roads from Newton: Great Discoveries in Physics (Wiley Popular Science)

Book Description

Why is time relative to the observer?

Can an atomic particle exist in two places at once?

Is light a wave, a particle, or both?

Six Roads from Newton is a lively tour through six monumental developments in physics since Newton: wave theory, field theory, statistical physics, special relativity, quantum theory, and general relativity. Together these crucial discoveries formed the basis of the modern revolution in physics, shattering Newton's view of the universe, and leading the way to the mind-boggling and fascinating questions at the cutting edge of physics today.

With real-world examples that bring physics vividly to life, Edward Speyer explains each theoretical development, in-troducing the leading figures, their famous experiments, and a number of delightfully perplexing problems that have challenged physicists along the way—from the Paradox of the Three Polarizers to Maxwell's Demon and the infamous case of Schrödinger's Cat.

"Entertaining and stimulating reading." —Journal of Modern Optics

Customer Reviews:

On Par With Richard Feynman:Clear,Educational,Entertaining.......2000-09-14

I read this book in 1998 and find myself revisiting it again and again. I love this book.

I keep it along side "Six Easy Pieces" (by Richard Feyman) as one of the two books that have helped me understand the concepts of physics more than any other. Six Roads in fact compliments Six Easy Pieces by picking up where Feynman left off in his book, describing in greater detail "The Theory of Gravitation", complimenting Feynman's explanations of "Quantum Behavior" and moving into explanations of Relativity Theory (which Feyman deals very little with). Makes me wonder if Speyer wasn't consciously drawing from and complimenting Feynman's book.

I can't give any higher recommendation to read this book. It's inspiring, fun to read, fun to reference, it's challenging and includes many graphs and some equations but it doesn't require prior knowledge of scientific jargon or advanced math, provides fundanmental explanations of a wide range of physical theories, and it gives an interesting perspective on the history of scientific thought that has led to those theories. The history of scientific thought, interactions of ideas, and achievements of great thinkers gave the book an engaging story, but ultimately, insight into the thoughts and equations themselves and the fundamental context of where those theories came from is the main feature and tremendous resource of this great science book.

Buy this book! (and maybe I'll get to see more like it)

Book Description

In the twenty tales told in this book, Charles & Mary Lamb succeeded in paraphrasing the language of truly adult literature in children’s terms. Let us not underestimate young readers: they love a complex story with many and varied characters, twists of plot, and turns of fate as much as anyone — but they draw the line at reading in unfamiliar language. The Lambs provide a real feast of plain fare, and flavor it with as many tasty tidbits of Shakespearean language as they felt the young reader could easily digest. This deluxe Children’s Classic edition is produced with high-quality, leatherlike binding with gold stamping, full-color covers, colored endpapers with a book nameplate. Some of the other titles in this series include: Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, King Arthur and His Knights, Little Women, and Treasure Island.

Download Description

Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales retell Shakespeare's 37 plays in prose.

Customer Reviews:

Sweet short stories.......2007-03-02

Obviously, if you're an older reader well accustomed to the world of Shakespeare, this is NOT the book for you. These are "children" versions of Shakespeare plays. They're short, sweet, and a little simple, obviously. While they still have the same mature content as the plays, it feels more toned down.

You've got it all, really. Whatever Shakespeare play you love, you'll find it here, from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to "Macbeth" and through "Hamlet". The stories are obviously the same, but the style is different. They feel a little like fairy tales, which is kind of the point. Children's stories, but of some of the greatest classics of all time.

These stories are fun to read, but don't think they're superb literature. They are a good way to spend an afternoon, but for older readers, the plays are still the way to go. This is better for older children and preteens who aren't quite ready to read Shakespeare himself, but can understand the stories themselves. I recommend it, but don't expect something incredible.

A great work of literature in it's own right.......2006-11-15

In this volume Charles and Mary Lamb turned 20 of Shakespeare's best loved plays into narratives for children , and it is a work of art in itself.
Written in 1807 , the stories are still easily readable and enjoyable 200 years later.
It is the ideal companion for one who finds Shakespeare hard to follow in the cold print of the play scripts but would like an easy and gentle introduction to his plays.
These stories are today read not only because they are an introduction to Shakespeare but they are the works of Charles Lamb and his sister.
The easy flow of Tales , the unity of style throughout , narrative sliding naturally into dialogue and dialogue into narrative , shows what talented authors the Lambs where.
Sub-plots and subsidiary inicidents and characters which give richness and variety to the plays on stage can confuse and mar the narratvies.

Thus they are often left out in the narratvies , leading a Shakespeare afficionado to perhaps be alarmed that the antics of Malvolio and the wit and pranks of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek are left out of the Lamb narrative of Twelfth Night.
But if they where included they would have confused an already complicated story , one of mistaken indentity and familiar absurdity.

Charles Lamb gives his own ideas as to the sanity or lack thereof of Hamlet and often at the end of the comedies Mary Lamb writes of the characters living happily ever after , giving a longer time frame to the narratives than exisited in the plays.
This fresh infusion of the Lamb's own ideas and wisdom , made this a greater work than had they been mere critiques or precis of the plays themselves.

Great intro for kids.......2005-06-21

When I first began homeschooling my children I came across this book. Since we were to soon see a high school production of Midsummer's Night Dream I read the Lamb version aloud to them before seeing the performance. The results were amazing. My children had no previous exposure to Shakespeare. The Lamb's ability to retain some of Shakespeare's original language greatly enhanced their comprehension. They loved the story and we able to follow the play with ease, laughing and clearly enjoying themselves much to the frustration of some nearby adults who were completely lost. This book helped begin their love affair with Sir William. I am of the opinion reading a well summarized version of his plays and then watching a well done performance will make any child appreciate the genius that is Shakespeare's work.

A Treasure Book.......2005-05-21

If you want to learn as a novice the tales of Shakespeare, then this is the book to read. A children's novel of his famous plays. Now to the English Shakespearean scholar this would seem like Shakespeare for dummies, but I would only partially agree. This is a great book to be introduced and gives a general framework before reading him. Even after reading this, its not an easy task trying to read Elizabethan English, which even the experts argue on some of the terms and expressions used. And so, this book lets you understand and I find its written rather well in Charles and Mary Lambs authorship.

After reading this book, which also make good for second, third and fourth readings, I found it much easier to absorb a recent bio on Shakespeare which was very enlightening, Will of the World by Stephen Greenblatt and also other books which attempt explanatory meanings of Elizabethan English to his plays and sonnets. Now you know what the plays are about and go from there. This is a great book, I treasure it.

Read it as a child and now use it as a professor.......2005-01-13

I remember my father giving me this book when I was young. He was a junior high school english teacher and used this book in class. Together we read the stories and I loved them. Now I am a college professor and use the book in class myself. While some of the summaries are "dated," they are still useful in communicating the basic action of the play to students and the very fact that they are "dated" allows the book to serve as an illustration of how interpretations of Shakespeare's plays have changed since the Lambs' time.

I recommend this book heartily.

Average customer rating:

Tales from Shakespeare
Good Interpretaion for kids.

Tales From Shakespeare
Tina Packer , Kadir Nelson , David Shannon , Barry Moser , Leo Dillo , Diane Dillo , Chelsey McLauren , and Mary Grandpre
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439321077

Amazon.com

Tina Packer, President and Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company theater and theater education group, brings ten of Shakespeare's most popular works to (abbreviated) life in this big, gorgeous hardcover volume. She retells the plays in a coherent style, incorporating paraphrases of some of the better-known lines for authentic flavor: "Is this a dagger which I see before me…" (Macbeth); "Ingratitude, more hideous in a child than in the sea monster…" (King Lear). Each of the ten tragedies and comedies is magnificently illustrated (one illustration per play) by an award-winning artist, including Mary GrandPre, Leo and Diane Dillon, Kadir Nelson , Chesley McLaren , and others. A lengthy and interesting introduction provides useful context for readers new to the Elizabethan world of Shakespeare.

Ideally, this book will serve as a lush introduction to the Bard for children who will go on to read--and better understand--the classic plays in their entirety. It sure beats Cliffs Notes. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Noted Shakespearian expert, Tina Packer, Director of the premier theatre group, Shakespeare & Co, brings to life all the romance, clashing swords, dastardly plots, and hilarious comedies of 10 of Shakespeare's classic plays, retold as exciting, accessible stories and lavishly illustrated by 10 notable children's book illustrators. (See extended summary.)

Customer Reviews:

Tales from Shakespeare.......2005-09-16

Absolutely beautiful! Stunning illustrations and accessible retellings of Shakespeare's most beloved plays. An excellent early introduction for children and a wonderful edition for anyone who cherishes Shakespeare.

Good Interpretaion for kids........2005-04-21

I was happy that there is something available for kids that would introduce them to Shakespeare. However, I still had to use my own words even for narrative. You really can't do much about Shakespeare's words and you would not want to, but the narrative and other explanations should have been made easier to read. They read more like narratives for operas with "dote", "sprite", "vowed", "disdainful", "enarmored", "braying", "loathsome" etc all over the place.

My kids are under 10 and I was hoping that with my help they will enjoy the book. They did, but I had to really work on it.

Average customer rating:

High/mixed
Introduce your child to Shakespeare!
Great Book
Great book!
Great book!

Tales from Shakespeare

Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0763623237
Release Date: 2004-03-08

Book Description

Shakespeare made accessible for young readers!

Come wend your way along London’s Thames River to the Globe Theatre, where seven favorite Shakespearean plays are being performed! Marcia Williams brings to life ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, JULIUS CAESAR, HAMLET, MACBETH, THE WINTER'S TALE, and THE TEMPESTt, making liberal use of Shakespeare’s rich dialogue. With the help of her signature comic-strip style, the Bard’s 400-year-old masterworks become as relevant to young readers today as they were to theatergoers way back then.

Customer Reviews:

High/mixed.......2007-03-10

The pages are very, very busy. Perhaps too distracting for children. But they are beautifully illustrated and retain the original feel for the language. Best for 4th-6th grades.

Introduce your child to Shakespeare!.......2001-01-10

My eight-year old daughter and I delighted in reading these seven plays together! Marcia Williams has created a colorful, imaginative, fun way to present these wonderful plays so that the young reader gains an appreciation for Shakespeare's works and an insight into the historical period in which he presented them on stage. Each page contains whimsical illustrations, in strip style, wherein the characters speak lines from the plays, as well as a clearly written storyline. My daughter expecially chuckled over the humorous but often droll comments of scampering Globe audience memberas, framing the text of every page. You'll find Will himself is there, too! The events of the plays are not suger coated, though, so the tragedies do rack up a body count and the reader encounters the famous scenes of poisonings and revenge sought by the sword.

Great Book.......2000-04-23

I thought this was a great book. I love anything by Marcia Williams. The illustrations are great and there are hillarious comments from the audience throughout the book. This is a great book for kids to enjoy and they also get the basic story line of seven of Shakespeare's most poupular plays. But most of all this book is just fun.

Great book!.......2000-03-30

I really loved this book. It was really funny and I think it is a great book for all ages. The Illustrations were great. I recommend reading all of the books by Marcia Williams. I have only read three, Joseph and the Magnificent Coat of Many Colors, The Amazing story of Noah's ark and this one, but we just ordered the one about Jonah and the whale. Buy it right now! You will love it!

Great book!.......2000-03-30

Average customer rating:

Wonderful introduction for children! Aylin

More Tales from Shakespeare

Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0763626937
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Book Description

"Williams has a brilliant signature style. . . . All the adoring fans of her TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE will rejoice, and new ones will join in the applause." —KIRKUS REVIEWS

Grab a seat as Marcia Williams wields her popular comic-book style to bring AS YOU LIKE IT, KING LEAR, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, and RICHARD III vividly to life while evoking the mood, mischief, and manners of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Elizabethan theater. As in her previous volume TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE, Williams blends her own storytelling skill with Shakespeare's rich dialogue to make these masterpieces accessible to even the most reluctant reader. Bravo!

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful introduction for children! Aylin.......2007-01-19

My 7 year old son is familiar with Shakespeare stories because of this book and it's companion volume. He picked it up and read them all himself. It is engaging for those too young to sit down with the original works.

Average customer rating:

Stories of Shakespeare
Shakespeare for children to love

Favorite Tales from Shakespeare
Bernard Miles
Manufacturer: GNP Crescendo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Marva Collins' Way: Updated

ASIN: 0528821008

Customer Reviews:

Stories of Shakespeare.......2006-07-27

I found the 1976 edition of this book in a flea market and I am dying to get my hands on additional copies to give as gifts.

This is an AWESOME book! Blew me away. The wonderful stories of Shakespeare, summarized in kid-friendly (but NEVER condescending) text, with colorful, fantastical illustrations that really do invite you to linger over them.

As a former English major, I am surprised and, even, kinda thrilled to read these stories in a new way. Plays are meant to be performed, not read, but who has time seek out Shakespeare on a regular basis? I'd forgotten a lot of the details of these stories over time, and it was way cool to return to them in narrative form.

If I were a kid, I'd be all over this book. There's romance, intrigue, sword fights, mistaken identies, ghosts, witches... good stuff, the author really picked good plays. Even as a 37 year old crone, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was sorry there wasn't more.

If you find this book, BUY IT!! I hope maybe it'll come into print again, so more people can enjoy it.

Shakespeare for children to love.......2001-12-06

My 27 year old son just picked up this book from my desk and said, "Wow, this is the book that got me interested in Shakespeare when I was six! It was my favorite book for years."
This is Shakespeare for children and for parents who may not even like Shakespeare. We wore out one copy and I had to buy another. The illustrations are wonderful and contribute to discussion about the plays. All three of my children credit reading this book with their comfort with Shakespeare in high school. One become an English major. I am very sad to see that
it is out of print. I have grandchildren coming up!

Tales from Shakespeare By Charles and Mary Lamb

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Tales from Shakespeare By Charles and Mary Lamb
WIlliam, Lamb, Charles and Mary, Rolfe, William J. (Editor) Shakespeare
Manufacturer: American Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GWHPXM

Average customer rating:

Twisted Tales from Shakespeare
Love Twisted Tales
laughs from the past
I'm almost getting teary...
An abolute classic of literary humor

Twisted Tales from Shakespeare
Richard Armour
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Parodies | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0070022518

Customer Reviews:

Twisted Tales from Shakespeare.......2007-02-07

The fact that I've been searching for this book for several years is testimonial to its timeless charm. I read this book 25 years ago and have wanted to own it for quite sometime. Now that I finally found it on Amazon, I'm delighted that I can share it with my high school children who have heard so much about the book from me over the years. The book kept me in fits of laughter and I've never viewed Shakespeare's plays the same way again. Besides being funny, the stories actually convey the real plot though presenting them in an irreverent light. There are also a lot of unnecessary footnotes included. A must read for ages 13 and above.

Love Twisted Tales.......2005-01-30

I read Twisted Tales many years ago and loved it. Richard Armour has made the Shakespeare plays a hilarious read. When my daughter was in the second grade, she mentioned something about Shakespeare and I said I had a very funny book about his plays which I would give to her when she was older. She insisted on reading the book then anyway, loved it and goes back to it frequently. She is now 16 and recently asked for the book again!
I actually came to the Amazon website to look for more books by Richard Armour. We definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves puns, jokes and great humor, all at the expense of the great Shakespeare plays. You can even follow all the plot twists and characters in Midsummer Nights Dream.

laughs from the past.......2001-11-20

Even my favorite bookstore can't find me this one. I hadn't thought of this book in years; my 14-year-old son had an assignment to rewrite the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, and it reminded me of this book. I must find it for him. I have always loved Shakespeare and deplore what passes for literature these days, so my recommendation for this book may seem odd, but this book is a must-read for all Shakespeare lovers. Let down your hair and enjoy it!

I'm almost getting teary..........2001-03-14

I read Armour's books over and over again when I was younger, they are *so* hysterical and brilliant, and I was so happy to read that there are others who remember and love his books, I felt as if I was among long-lost friends...the books must be published again!

An abolute classic of literary humor.......2001-01-29

If you've ever enjoyed reading and/or seeing Shakespeare, or if you feel you've suffered terribly studying his plays in school, this book is for you. Going through several plays scene by scene (sometimes line by line), Armour finds humor even in the Bard's most serious moments. He also writes short introductory pieces to each play and a wonderful introduction. This book, along with Armour's "The Classics Reclassified," should be back in print to be enjoyed by the new generation and the ones that preceded it.

Canterbury Tales (Royal Shakespeare Company)

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Canterbury Tales (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Manufacturer: Nick Hern Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Two-part adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer's tales by Tony award winner adaptor Mike Poulton. All the famous characters are here as well as many less well-known but equally full of life. Each of the stories has its own style-heroic verse for the Knight's Tale, vernacular rhymes for the Miller's Tale etc.-echoing the many narrative voices employed by Chaucer himself.

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Tales From Shakespeare

Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H4127Y

Average customer rating:

As You Like It

Twisted Tales from Shakespeare

Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Parodies | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0070022526

Customer Reviews:

As You Like It.......2002-11-19

This book is a must read for all those who've read Shakespeare. One word of caution though: Unless you've read and understood the bard's plays vis a vis Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet etc, you won't understand the humor that comes through in Armour's witty dialogues. It helps if you knew a bit of Shakespeare's life/background as well. Chuckles at every few lines are inevitable, so get ready for some curious glances if you read this in public. Altoough Armour gives a comical interpretation to shakespeare's plays, its obvious that he's "not come to bury Shakespeare but to honor him." :-)

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