Prisons of Light - Black Holes by Kitty Ferguson

Prisons of Light - Black Holes by Kitty Ferguson

What is a black hole? Could we survive a visit to one … perhaps even venture inside? Have we yet discovered any real black holes? And what do black holes teach us about the mysteries of our Universe? These are just a few of the tantalizing questions examined in this tour-de-force, jargon-free review of one of the most fascinating topics in modern science. In search of the answers, we trace a star from its birth to its death throes, take a hypothetical journey to the border of a black hole and beyond, spend time with some of the world's leading theoretical physicists and astronomers, and take a whimsical look at some of the wild ideas black holes have inspired. Prisons of Light - Black Holes is comprehensive and detailed. Yet Kitty Ferguson's lightness of touch and down-to-earth analogies set this book apart from all others on black holes and make it a wonderfully stimulating and entertaining read.

'Ferguson succeeds in explaining … black holes at a level that will be inviting to those with little or no prior knowledgeHer writing is lucid, her analogies good. Just when you thought it was all over, black holes are back.' John Barrow, New Scientist
'Kitty Ferguson marshals her arguments well, taking a bite at a time and giving the reader the opportunity to digest before cramming in the next … Her text is carefully thought out, vivid and accurate … A sensible index and suggestions for further reading round the whole thing off nicely. I am glad I read it.' Roger O'Brien, Journal of the British Astronomical Society
'An astute blend of entertainment and enlightenment, the sort of book that might have come from George Gammow as part of his series Mr Tompkins in Wonderland. Ferguson's grip on her material is firm, her style crisp, lucid and lively.' Werner Israel, Physics World
'The reader … will be amply rewarded not only with knowledge, but also with the humor, fantasy, poetry and awe Ferguson brings to the subject.' Publishers Weekly
'… a crystal clear guide for a first trip around the black hole block.' Gilbert Taylor, Booklist
'… delightfully clear account, well illustrated and bare of jargon and equations … I recommend it.' Robert Boyd, Science and Christian Belief

Ferguson, Kitty: - Kitty Ferguson has been writing and lecturing about science and scientists for over two decades, making the language and concepts of physics and cosmology understandable for audiences without a scientific background. Her 1991 biography of Stephen Hawking, written with his encouragement and help, was an international best-seller. She was a consultant for Hawking's book The Universe in a Nutshell. Kitty is the author of seven books including The Fire in the Equations and The Music of Pythagoras. She has also been interviewed by Forbes Magazine, PBS, News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and the BBC. She lectures widely in North America, and her appearances have included the Goddard Space Flight Center, the Hayden Planetarium in NYC, The Nobel Peace Prize Forum, and many universities. Kitty and her husband divide their time between Cambridge, England and South Carolina.

SKU	Non disponible
ISBN 13	9780521495189
ISBN 10	0521495180
Titre	Prisons of Light - Black Holes
Auteur	Kitty Ferguson
État	Non disponible
Type de reliure	Hardback
Éditeur	Cambridge University Press
Année de publication	1996-09-05
Nombre de pages	224
Note de couverture	La photo du livre est présentée à titre d'illustration uniquement. La reliure, la couverture ou l'édition réelle peuvent varier.
Note	Non disponible