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For the Love of Physics: From the End of the Rainbow to the Edge of Time - A Journey Through the Wonders of Physics Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Kent Cassella (Narrator), Walter Lewin (Author), Warren Goldstein (Author),
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,529 ratings

"You have changed my life" is a common refrain in the emails Walter Lewin receives daily from fans who have been enthralled by his world-famous video lectures about the wonders of physics. "I walk with a new spring in my step and I look at life through physics-colored eyes," wrote one such fan. When Lewin's lectures were made available online, he became an instant YouTube celebrity, and the New York Times declared, "Walter Lewin delivers his lectures with the panache of Julia Child bringing French cooking to amateurs and the zany theatricality of YouTube's greatest hits."

For more than 30 years as a beloved professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lewin honed his singular craft of making physics not only accessible but truly fun, whether putting his head in the path of a wrecking ball, supercharging himself with 300,000 volts of electricity, or demonstrating why the sky is blue and why clouds are white.

Now, as Carl Sagan did for astronomy and Brian Green did for cosmology, Lewin takes listeners on a marvelous journey in For the Love of Physics, opening our eyes as never before to the amazing beauty and power with which physics can reveal the hidden workings of the world all around us. "I introduce people to their own world," writes Lewin, "the world they live in and are familiar with but don't approach like a physicist - yet."

Could it be true that we are shorter standing up than lying down? Why can we snorkel no deeper than about one foot below the surface? Why are the colors of a rainbow always in the same order, and would it be possible to put our hand out and touch one? Whether introducing why the air smells so fresh after a lightning storm, why we briefly lose (and gain) weight when we ride in an elevator, or what the Big Bang would have sounded like had anyone existed to hear it, Lewin never ceases to surprise and delight with the extraordinary ability of physics to answer even the most elusive questions.

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  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 11 minutes
  2. Author
    Walter Lewin, see all
  3. Narrator
    Kent Cassella
  4. Audible release date
    August 1, 2011
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  7. ASIN
    B005FDC438
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 11 minutes
Author Walter Lewin, Warren Goldstein
Narrator Kent Cassella
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 01, 2011
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B005FDC438
Best Sellers Rank #101,946 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#52 in Science Essays & Commentary (Books)
#141 in Astrophysics & Space Science (Books)
#186 in Scientist Biographies

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,529 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this physics book informative and well-written, with detailed explanations that make complex topics accessible. They describe it as an entertaining read that holds interest from start to finish, and one customer notes how it takes readers on a journey through classical mechanics. Customers appreciate the author's personal touch, with one mentioning how it complements his lectures with a biographical twist. The book receives positive feedback for its art content, with one customer describing it as a work of art.

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Physics contentReadabilityEnjoymentEase of understandingWriterPersonalityArt content
87 customers mention "Physics content"84 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the physics content of the book, finding it amazing and informative, with one customer noting how it takes readers on a journey through classical mechanics.

"...An enjoyable, instructive read that is perfect for the layperson who wants to learn about physics through a practical lens versus a mathematical one..." Read more

"...of physics in understanding the universe but weaves seamlessly the insightful views of a grand master physicist on issues of global importance: the..." Read more

"...I think Walter Lewin is not only a very clever physicist, but a talented entertainer as well, not a common combination...." Read more

"...It is that original spark which is at the core of a good scientist. The boldness to ask questions without the fear of not understanding the answer...." Read more

54 customers mention "Readability"51 positive3 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, describing it as brilliant, with one customer noting it serves as an excellent primer.

"...For the Love of Physics" is the wonderful, educational book that enlightens the layperson to physics...." Read more

"This is a wonderful book...." Read more

"...Young or old, this is a wonderful book on so many levels; taking a topic many find intimidating and making it accessible for anyone, it is Dr. Lewin..." Read more

"...It lints the way to understanding. Love the book." Read more

27 customers mention "Enjoyment"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and inspiring, describing it as a pleasure from start to finish with amusing tales and passion throughout.

"...An enjoyable, instructive read that is perfect for the layperson who wants to learn about physics through a practical lens versus a mathematical one..." Read more

"...Lewin takes us on this journey with passion, with humor and with enthusiasm. On every page are connections to experiences in everyday life...." Read more

"...A very entertaining and also interesting book, I hope he writes another!" Read more

"...I could sense his excitement, passion and energy with every page, and I love the feel of his Dutch accent; it made the book even more intimate and..." Read more

25 customers mention "Ease of understanding"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand, appreciating its detailed explanations and concise approach, with one customer noting it serves as a painless entry into fascinating topics.

"...By using everyday experiences, he is able to convey complex topics in an understandable and hands on way. 6...." Read more

"...The way he explains is so easy to grasp and intriguing. At no time have I felt bored with the topics and scientific concepts...." Read more

"...Even better, the answers are beautifully simple once the relations are laid out (in principle)...." Read more

"...This book, in a very concise way, does the same thing. It lints the way to understanding. Love the book." Read more

21 customers mention "Writer"21 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's writing style, with one noting how it complements his lectures with a biographical twist.

"...A tour deluxe of the x-ray universe. The author goes in more depth and takes you out of the classroom. It feels like a memoir of sorts. 16...." Read more

"...Scattered throughout the text are various autobiographical snippits which give added interest...." Read more

"...The book is so wonderfully written, Walter captured my attention from the very firs word and right straight through each chaper and to the end of..." Read more

"This is a well-written book to whet your appetite for physics, if you know nothing at all about physics yet have a burning desire to learn about X-..." Read more

7 customers mention "Personality"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate Walter Lewin's personality, describing him as an amazing person and talented entertainer.

"...I think Walter Lewin is not only a very clever physicist, but a talented entertainer as well, not a common combination...." Read more

"Walter Lewin is a great man who dedicated his life to research and teaching...." Read more

"Note : This is not a science book , it is biography for Walther Lwein this great man ." Read more

"Lewis is great. Watch him on You Tube and get an idea of his teaching. The book is great! I highly recommend." Read more

5 customers mention "Art content"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the art content of the book, with one describing it as a work of art and another noting its engaging photos.

"I love this book. He is so so very right and so brilliant. The book is wonderfully written. Physics is around us -- it's in everything...." Read more

"...Also sharing his education, interest in art and research on x-ray astronomy." Read more

"...This book is truly a work of art!" Read more

"...This is a Physics book in fine prose. No equations, few diagrams and photos and a lot of plain, simple and complex, phenomena and their detailed..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Book Shark
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's not a matter of understanding physics, it's a matter of falling in love with it!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    For the Love of Physics: From the End of the Rainbow to the Edge of Time, A Journey Through the Wonders of Physics by Walter Lewin

    "For the Love of Physics" is the wonderful, educational book that enlightens the layperson to physics. Professor Lewin's passion for physics shines throughout the book as he takes readers on a journey from the tiniest particles to the utter vastness of our universe. Acclaimed MIT professor Walter Lewin, helps us see the world through the eyes of physics. This book is in essence a two-part book, in the first part Lewin focuses on the basics of physics. The second part has to do with his area of expertise, X-Ray Astronomy. An enjoyable, instructive read that is perfect for the layperson who wants to learn about physics through a practical lens versus a mathematical one. This 320-page book is composed of the following fifteen chapters: 1. From the Nucleus to Deep Space, 2. Measurements, Uncertainties, and the Stars, 3. Bodies in Motion, 4. The Magic of Drinking, 5. Over and Under, Outside and Inside, the Rainbow, 6. The Harmonies of Strings and Winds, 7. The Wonders of Electricity, 8. The Mysteries of Magnetism, 9. Energy Conservation - Plus ca change..., 10. X-rays from Outer Space!, 11. X-ray Ballooning, the Early Days, 12. Cosmic Catastrophes, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes, 13. Celestial Ballet, 14. X-ray Bursters! And. 15. Ways of Seeing.

    Positives:
    1. A well-written book about physics that focuses on the beauty of it rather than the details.
    2. Well-researched book that is accessible to the masses.
    3. Professor Lewin's goal are to educate and to exude excitement over his topics...mission accomplished. As a reader and reviewer, I appreciate the passion
    4. An inside look at the world of a physicist. The love for astronomy...Interesting.
    5. One of the great strengths of this book is how Lewin educates his students on physics. By using everyday experiences, he is able to convey complex topics in an understandable and hands on way.
    6. There are some heart-warming and tragedy behind Professor Lewin's fascinating life and he is kind and brave enough to share them with the readers.
    7. The wonderful world of optics. One of the most fascinating optical phenomena...glories.
    8. Newton's three laws of motion.
    9. The gravity of the situation. Mass vs. weight.
    10. Does a wonderful job of properly attributing discoveries to their discoverers.
    11. Answers a lot of everyday questions through physics: why is the sky blue, what causes rainbows, how do planes fly, etc....
    12. The basics of sound waves. Myths debunked along the way.
    13. Electricity in a whole new light. Magnetism. The physics of lightning. The great Maxwell.
    14. How energy works. The various types and applications.
    15. The second part of the book, the author concentrates in his area of expertise X-ray astronomy. A tour deluxe of the x-ray universe. The author goes in more depth and takes you out of the classroom. It feels like a memoir of sorts.
    16. A lot of amusing tales regarding his days in the field.
    17. Neutron stars, supernovae, black holes, neutrinos, pulsars..oh my!
    18. Some of the most amazing facts you will ever read, "A teaspoon of neutron star matter would weigh 100 million tons on Earth".
    19. X-ray bursts!
    20. Stellar spectroscopy...the most powerful tool in astrophysics.
    21. The golden age of cosmology.
    22. Find out about Professor Lewin's "other" love.
    23. Links, very helpful links that add depth to the topics discussed.

    Negatives:
    1. The Kindle version omits the picture inserts unless you count the links for the Kindle Fire.
    2. This book is intended for the masses so those in the field of physics will find it too basic.
    3. Let's face it, it pains me to say it but a lot of people just can't handle science even at its most accessible.

    In summary, after reading this educational book the quote that best summarizes it, " A woman does not want to be understood, she wants to be loved". I apologize for not properly attributing the quote but I feel it captures the essence of this book. Professor Lewis wants you to learn about physics but his focus is for you to fall in love with physics. The love for physics will drive one's innate curiosity toward learning physics. It's a wonderful philosophy to have and this book emanates rays of wisdom. If you are a layperson and want to see the world in a different light by all means pick up this book!

    Further suggestions: "Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100" by Michio Kaku, "The Physics Book: From the Big Bang to Quantum Resurrection, 250 Milestones in the History of Physics (Sterling Milestones)" by Clifford A. Pickover, "Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End . . ." by Phillip C. Plait, "Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries" by Neil deGrasse Tyson, "A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing" by Lawrence Krauss, "Knocking on Heaven's Door: How Physics and Scientific Thinking Illuminate the Universe and the Modern World" by Lisa Randall, "Wonders of the Universe" and "Why Does E=mc2? (And Why Should We Care?)" by Brian Cox, "Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe (P.S.)" by Simon Singh, and "The Grand Design" by Stephen Hawking.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • ubpdqn
    5.0 out of 5 stars a brilliant teacher
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful book. It takes the reader on a journey through classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and Professor Lewin's area of long term research, X-ray astronomy. Although this outline mirrors to some extent the three MIT courses (now available to all, see the post Ellipses), this is more than a cut down version of these lectures.

    Professor Lewin takes us on this journey with passion, with humor and with enthusiasm. On every page are connections to experiences in everyday life. These connections are not dry explanations of common phenomena but encouragements to the reader to test these ideas. I found myself having the almost uncontrollable desire to turn on a hose with the sun at my back and spin around to generate my own rainbow. I was also saddened that my shower and sun configuration prevents my own personal grasp on these rainbows. These small experiments are not solely qualitative but quantitative exercises. This powerful explanatory and predictive nature of physics is bed rock in the book. At every opportunity, Professor Lewin helps us to understand the enormous numbers (mass, energy, power, etc) of the quantum and astronomical scale by comparisons with values of these properties on objects and states on our human scale.

    As testimony to the Professor's connection with the reader (we are another wave of students) there are repeated references to internet resources that amplify his words. I have provided some of these in previous posts.

    The chapters on X-ray astronomy take us on the journey of a an active experimental research physicist. There is agony and ecstasy. This revelation of the invisible, distant and historical amazing view of the cosmos is "mind-blowing".

    The book not only reveals the fundamental importance of physics in understanding the universe but weaves seamlessly the insightful views of a grand master physicist on issues of global importance: the energy crisis, human obesity, the safety of nuclear power, the Large Hadron Collider.

    Finally, Professor Lewin gives us instructive glimpses of the formative influences of his life: family, the Nazi occupation and Holocuast (an ever-present shadow), Lady Luck (the visit to MIT, the opportune meetings with friends and colleagues) and the transformative powers of education and Art. It is also clear that "fortune favours the prepared mind".

    May we all learn to enrich our connections with the world through education, reason and art. If the intelligence, enthusiasm and wonder that Professor Lewin conveys transforms us even a little, then bonus intra melior exi, i.e we enter good but leave better. What greater honour to a bestow on a brilliant teacher?
    12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Nelson Saini
    5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ FOR EVERYBODY.....
    Reviewed in Australia on December 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, good explanation of concepts, interesting to read, he covered concepts in a way that our school textbooks does not cover which felt really good while reading.....
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  • S. Rooke
    5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    this is a fantastic book proving a great insite into the work of a physisist aswell as inspring a new generation. What could be said to be aimed at lay people is also fantasticaly engaging for those with a higher understanding of physics. Wonderful, inspirational and simple explantations for modern scientific reaserch was provided.
    I beleive it would be engaging for all age groups 14+ the age rating just because of the lower interest in physics from younger people and the basic understanding of physics required to be inspired by it coming in small amounts from what is typicaly learned at that age such as "clasical mechanics" or "astrophysics" etc.
    little to no mathematics so purly consepts discussed making it very easy to follow.
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  • Turi Cane
    5.0 out of 5 stars A tribute to Physics
    Reviewed in Italy on August 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    If you already love Physics, you will love this book as well. If you don’t (yet), this book (and Lewin’s lectures on YouTube) will make you :)
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  • Good book it is same bhagvad gita changed in English language.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
    Reviewed in India on November 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Yes,It is a great book for the physics lovers even I am in class 7 it can explain the contents to anyone as it is written in a simple language.A very good book WORTH BUYING.
    Customer image
    Good book it is same bhagvad gita changed in English language.
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A great book

    Reviewed in India on November 23, 2024
    Yes,It is a great book for the physics lovers even I am in class 7 it can explain the contents to anyone as it is written in a simple language.A very good book WORTH BUYING.
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  • 在星猫
    5.0 out of 5 stars パソコンの前に座って読みましょう
    Reviewed in Japan on March 2, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    MITの電磁物理学を教えているWalter教授の授業を自宅にいるままで受けられます。PCは必須何故ならそこかしこに本人の授業の様子や関連するWEBのReferenceが一杯で、それらを見ながら楽しんでいる内に物理学的な考え方が身についてくるような気がします。長時間の授業のVideoを全部見る必要はなく、しっかりと「開始からXX分のところ」と詳細な指示があるので大丈夫。Walter先生の狙いは細かな説明ではなく物理学の美しさ、素晴らしさを学生に感じてもらい、今までとは違う物の見方ができることと言われていますが正にこの目的は達成されていると思います。
    後半のX線探査の為の気球観測に従事していた時代の記述も別の観点で興味深いものになっています。
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