Reviews (13)

Elegant, brilliant answers
Epstein presents a bunch of physics problems, and solves them all -- almost without any math -- with clear, insightful, elegant solutions. A brilliant book useful from grade 10 to grad school.

Very Useful Book
No, this isn't a perfect book.Some of Lewis' explanations are a bit vague and some are incomplete but despite these minor flaws this book does a wonderful job of explaining important concepts of physics in very simple terms. teachs you how to think about physics problems
I like this book because it has interesting and motivating physics problems that can be solved without math, but with just carefull thinking on the truly physical aspects and principles. I do not mean that math should not be used in physics books, nor that all physics problems can be solved without math, but problems that do not need math are also very interesting and should be taught; this book is very good in doing that. I think this book would be very useful in high school (as complement to conventional books) because it would have great effect on kids's mental habits and rational thinking.
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Subjects:  1. Juvenile Nonfiction    2. Physics    3. Science    4. Science & Nature - Physics    5. Science / Physics    6. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (2)

Fancy Cover, Bad Book
Quite Frankly, this new Holt Phyiscs book, does NOT cover all the content that is involved in the detailed study of Physics. Not only that, but it leaves out some of the most important principles that are in physics. For example, Chapter 5-2, we talk about Energy, it doesn't give the law of conservation of energy, which is one of the most important laws in physics. It also when talking about Newton's laws, doesn't use the ideas that Newton had. There are so many things missing, I could go on forever, I wish I could give this book a negative score, but I can't do so. I'm currently in Physics at my school, and I like to study Physics in my spare time. Serway is a very good author of the college books, that I have, but this one does not cut it for a full understanding of Physics.

Superb Physics book!
This was the text book used in my honors physics class.Though it may not go into extremely advanced issues, it does touch on A LOT of material, including basic collisions, fluids, rotational motion, relativity (a bit), and even some quantum mechanics.This book is definitely useful to anyone who wants a better education in basic physics and a start into somewhat beginner's advanced physics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - Physics    4. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (1)

Must-have book for Physics instructors
Lots of classic demos plus some unusual ones. Each chapter includes explicit instructions, background material, safety warnings, and references. A terrific resource for science teachers (specifically in physics) at all levels, though most useful at the high school or college level. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Methods Of Instruction And Study (General)    3. Physics    4. Physics (General)    5. Science    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Science & Technology    7. Experimental techniques    8. Experiments & science projects    9. Science / Physics   

Reviews (12)

Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide
I found this book very helpful in preparing for my teacher certification test to teach high school science.It helped me recall many physical concepts that I had studied in college years ago.The book is written in language that is easy to understand.The fill-in-the-blank format helps to reinforce ideas.This is an excellent book.

Could have been much better
My main problem with this book is that the answers are stated directly below the exercises, forcing you to either try to cover up the answers with a bookmark or sheet of paper, or consciously try to not look at the answers, which is distracting. This format makes the book feel more like a trivia quiz than a book about a serious academic subject. Though the book throws some rudimentary equations at the reader, it doesn't explain them clearly enough. Overall, I felt the whole idea of the book was to rush the reader through the subject matter rather than giving the reader a meaningful knowledge of the fundamentals of physics. This book initially appealed to me because it was cheap, but trust me, you're better off paying the premium for a real textbook.

I liked it, it is what the title says, although a bit skinny
I liked the book. It's very simple, quite organised. I belive it has about 23 chapters. Starts with velocity, speed, gravity, weight, then goes to more advanced areas for example waves, particles, etc. Sometimes it gives the background of a discovery. Newton liked to make people sad, I think I remember. It has the regular Einstein is the greatest mind of all times. I think it tries to explain the E=MC2 that everybody knows and few understand it.
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Subjects:  1. Physics    2. Physics (General)    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Study & Teaching    6. Study Guides    7. Science / Physics   

Reviews (3)

Science Made Fun & Easy
I have a 6-yr old boy and a 7-yr old girl. It's very rare to find anything that they agree on but with What Is the World Made Of? I was able to find a book that both of them would enjoy and learn from at the same time. The easy-to-follow language made it easy for them both to follow along. The fun pictures and odd bits of humor kept them interested and wanting to know more. A fantastic find & one I hope to be able to use for quite some time.

Great for Teachers!!!
This book is an excellent way to introduce solids, liquids, and gases.I used it with a 3rd grade class and it was perfect!

wonderful science/literature connection
this is an excellent literature connection for young children studying the concept of matter.it works well with the foss science module, "solids and liquids" for students in grades one and two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Constitution    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Matter    7. Readers - Beginner    8. Science & Nature - Earth Sciences    9. Science & Nature - Physics    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Physics    11. Matter & materials   

Reviews (7)

Everything has worked as written
My DH is using this and other books for a science and gadget class with 10 K-2 kids.He likes this book as the experiments are easy and fast paced enough to keep the kids' attention, a real issue with this bunch.
A lot of parent/kid fun
I have bought many of these kinds of books for my now 5.5 year old.Each book is different, some with more stuff that is age appropriate than others, but I've ALWAYS manage to find at least a few things in these books to have an hour of fun father/daughter time.This book is no exception.The simple experiments on color, gravity and energy are quite simple, enjoyable to do, and my daughter did learn a thing or two.The old she gets, the more I'll be we will draw from this well written book.
I like it!!!!
I disagree with Dixie who had written the previous review! The bookwas not written for 3 year olds! A good parent reviews the info and suggested age levels in the review section before buying. We have been very happy with these books. After buying one other, we bought this one and love it just as much. These experiments are simple to read and study. But the teach important science concepts so I am as happy as a mom can be...but again...I read the age level before buying the book! Someday I hope to make a list of recommended books...this will be one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Science    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Experiments    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Science    8. Science & Nature - Experiments & Projects    9. Science & Technology - Experiments & Projects    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Energy, weight, force & movement    12. General science    13. Interactive & activity books & packs    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Experiments & Projects    15. Natural history & pets   

Reviews (37)

Terrible.
This book is extremely confusing and has too much distracting information.It's sad that many schools use this as their text on physics.There is little to no math in this book to assist you, yet the review sections expect you to know the math to do the work.How is that possible?Terrible book.

harmful
This book is complete nonsense. It reflects an ever growing ideology among the so called 'pedagogs' who themselves never understood physics. It can not even be considered a physics textbook. The book pressums utter stupidity on the part of the reader, and it is painful to think anyone besides 5-year-olds can be forced to read this.
Better conceptual physics texts are available-
I've taught "conceptual" (fundamental) physics from this text at two universities and one community college.I have never liked the text - and this later edition has not changed my mind.(Don't let the catchy cover photo fool you.)Fortunately I no longer have to use the text.It is just too long and filled with too many topics for a one semester college level "conceptual physics" course.I don't think most college instructors who use this text ever make it through half the topics.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - Physics   

Reviews (1)

Read it as a story or do the experiments
The good thing about this book is that it is interesting enough to read it (at bedtime, for example) without pausing to do the experiments or you can use it in conjunction with some great little experiments to learn more about magnets.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Experiments    4. General    5. Juvenile literature    6. Magnets    7. Physics    8. Electricity & magnets    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Physics   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Nuclear Physics    4. Particles (Nuclear physics)    5. Physics    6. Science    7. Science & Nature - Physics    8. Science / Physics   

Subjects:  1. 1879-1955    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - General    4. Biography & Autobiography - Science & Technology    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Einstein, Albert,    8. Juvenile Easy Readers    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Physicists    12. Science & Nature - Physics    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (8)

Wonderful!!
I can't sing Hakim's praises enough - from her History of US series to the The Story of Science, all three volumes so far. I've been an avid science fan my whole life, but not a hard science major, and I gasped all the way through these books as I learned things I never knew, but thought I'd known, or finally understood things I'd known about but that had puzzled me. Get over the "distracting" sidebars - they didn't bother me at all and they were full of great stuff. I ate these books up and I was only reading them to preview for my homeschooler who hates math and is bored by science, but loves history. Joy Hakim has a wonderful ability to take a huge subject (all of US history, for instance, and the development and progress of scientific thought in this case) and make it manageable, new and a fun read. I have a new respect for Mathematics after reading this book. My daughter is discovering that science and math really are amazing and play a critical, pivotal role in the unfolding of human history.

Very insightful and a pleasure!
I enjoyed Hakim's Story of Us, so naturally i was looking forward to getting my hands on this series.I have enjoyed reading this book.I love how she shares what the different cultures beliefs were regarding different areas of science, and of course with time some of their ideas were proven wrong.I really learned through this book to appreciate Science for what it is . . . . a way of thinking, questioning, and testing.Its trying to understand ideas and concepts bigger than oneself. I've enjoyed the sidenotes- yes it does mean you have to turn the pages back on occasion to read it all but it is great.It's kind of like reading a magazine in that respect, with more than one story on a page. You read one and go back to the other.This is an interesting approach to science - learning the who, and why part of how.I recommend it highly.

A JOY to read!
When I began the homeschooling journey, I kept hearing about this wonderful set of United States history books by Joy Hakim.I know a lot of homeschoolers are very religious, and I really wanted secular, scientific educational materials. I was intrigued by the historical knowlege of these kids though, so I kept an open mind.I am so glad that I did.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. History    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Juvenile literature    5. Philosophy & Social Aspects    6. Physics    7. Science    8. Science & Nature - General    9. Science & Nature - Physics   

Editorial Review

Hey, this is a fun book! Even a casual page-through revealed a number of things many adults probably don't know. Read more

Reviews (2)

A must read Book !!!!
This fascinating book is different from other science book.It has many, many different experiments and projects to try out. From building a escalator to making a simple computer...That really works!! Each experimentis clearly photographed step by step , it is so ever easy to follow them!This book is a must. If you enjoyed this book, why not try the others? Youwon't regret.

great mind expansion
My kids always want to know why or how something happens.This is a great book for them to look at (marvelous pictures) and for us to select projects from that explain some of the stuff mom and dad don't know.My seven and ten year old can read and understand the vocabulary without getting lost in any scientific jargon.A great help for classroom project, science fair entries, long summer days or rainy weekends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Experiments    4. Juvenile literature    5. Machinery    6. Science    7. Technology - How Things Work/Are Made    8. Science / General   

Reviews (6)

Wonderful!
I can't sing Hakim's praises enough - from her History of US series to the The Story of Science, all three volumes so far.I've been an avid science fan my whole life, but not a hard science major, and I gasped all the way through these books as I learned things I never knew, but thought I'd known, or finally understood things I'd known about but that had puzzled me.Get over the "distracting" sidebars - they didn't bother me at all and they were full of great stuff.I ate these books up and I was only reading them to preview for my homeschooler who hates math and is bored by science, but loves history.Joy Hakim has a wonderful ability to take a huge subject (all of US history, for instance, and the development and progress of scientific thought in this case) and make it manageable, new and a fun read.My daughter is discovering that science and math really are amazing and play a critical, pivotal role in the unfolding of human history.

Another Great Book!
I notice that one negative review has been repeated on multiple Joy Hakim books verbatim.
This has been a WONDERFUL resource!
My daughter is homeschooled, and after reading the entire History of US Series, I knew this science series would be a must.Honestly, I learned so much about US history than I ever learned in all my years of schooling through Ms. Hakim's books.Same with the "Story of Science" Series.Some may find the sidebars distracting, but we kind of made them into a separate lesson and learned a great deal of little-known facts.And it isn't only history or science - the author weaves a little bit of everything into these books in these sidebars.I really can't recommend her books enough.So far, they have been THE favorite resource in our four years of homeschooling! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Gravity    3. History    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Light    6. Science    7. Science & Nature - General    8. Science & Nature - Physics    9. Scientists - General   

Reviews (3)

The Life Of Thomas A. Edison
Thomas A. Edison is about a boy who likes to ask questions. He came into his gooses nest and sat on her egg. Isn't that weird. He wanted the egg process to go faster. Tom is a good boy. You would like this book if you read it. It is funny and it is exciting. While you are reading it, you won't even know that you are learning. I was supposed to read it as a book report and I am glad I chose to read it. Tom was dedicated to make what he is working on come true. He messed up a couple of times like the time he told his friend to drink these two chemicals mix together so his friend could fly like a bird. Instead, hisd friendf got sick. I laughed. I give this book 5 points!

"The Wizard of Menlo Park"
Have you ever tried to sit on an egg and hatch it? Thomas Alva Edison did! He was a young who was curious about the world around him. He was born in a city near New York City. His family did not have much money, but they made a great effort to send young Thomas to school. At his first school that he attended, he was expelled for asking too much questions to her teacher. At his other 2 schools that he went too, he was also expelled for asking too many questions. At a young age Thomas would sell newspapers at a railroad. At the young age of 23, Thomas invented the phonograph, which is the grandfather of the Compact Disk. Then a couple of years later Thomas after 7 attempts invented the Light bulb. Years after inventing the light bulb, New York City was entirely lighted by light bulbs thanks to Thomas. He was even called "The wizard of Menlo Park". Thomas A. Edison
This book is wonderful for ages 8 - 12 who want to read about Thomas Edison's childhood and important things about his adult life.Each chapter has exciting stories that happened to this inquisitive boy.He was a very curious boy who would always ask questions. His parents, mother in particular, are very supportive of his curiosity. There are interesting events that happen like when Thomas gets his first ice skates and when he rides on a steam engine train. If you are interested in the world around you and maybe interested in science, then this is the book for you.It's fascinating to read about Thomas Edison as a young boy and as he grows into an adult because the only info I had before was a listing of his inventions.By the way, it would be very fast reading for an adult, and it might be nice if your child is reading this that you read it, too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Thomas Alva),    2. 1847-1931    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Science & Technology    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    7. Edison, Thomas A    8. Inventors    9. Juvenile literature    10. United States    11. Juvenile Fiction / Biographical / United States   

Reviews (1)

Real Science 4 Kids
I found the Physics, Level 1 book very well written and illustrated. My students really liked the book, too.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Science & Nature - Physics    3. Science & Technology - Physics   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - Physics   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Energy resources    4. Energy transfer    5. Force and energy    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Science (General)    8. Juvenile literature    9. Power resources    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Science & Nature - Physics    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Physics   

Reviews (4)

janet vancleave review
this is an excellent resource for teachers or parents.experiments are fun and easy to do.

This book makes learning physics fun!
I would highly recommend Janice VanCleave's Physics For Every Kid. I am a 6th & 7th grade science teacher and have used activities from this book numerous times. There are so many tough concepts in physics and sometimes all it takes is a simple activity that the kids can see. The way I use the activities in this book, along with the others in this series, are to set them up as stations and have the kids rotate through them. It's an easy way to create hands-on learning and the kids LOVE it! This book is divided up into these categories: electricity, magnets, buoyancy, gravity, balance, flight, simple machines, inertia, motion, light, heat, and sound. I think the activities in this book are intended for grades 4-6, but could be adapted for younger or older kids. You won't be disappointed!

Physics is Fun
This book is just right for introducing physics concepts to children in the 8-12yrs. age range.My students prefer learning the concepts by "doing" rather than by justreading about them in a science text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Experiments    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Physics    7. Science    8. Science & Nature - Experiments & Projects    9. Science & Nature - Physics    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Physics    11. Sound    12. Waves, light & optics   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Science & Nature - General    4. Designed / suitable for A & AS Level    5. PHYSICS   

Reviews (1)

Making something complicated extraordinarily simple
Ms.Topp's short book should be on the book list of every 5th grade science teacher, 10 year old kid in love with science and mystery and adult who wishes to understand quantum physics or just the science behind the plot of Michael Crichtonbook "Timeline".She explains in incredible clear, developmental appropriate language how the world can seem solid yet is really light and energy,and how this is relevant in the world of kids and leading-edge physicist alike. Just 53 pages later adult and child alike will have a "A HA" explanation of why things can happen simultaneously and be related. Elegantly simple yet profoundly rewarding to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Juvenile literature    5. Physics    6. Science    7. Science & Nature - General    8. Science & Nature - Physics