David Bodanis Books

“This argument is amusing and seductive, but for all I know, the Lord may be laughing over it and leading me down the garden path.” – Albert Einstein in a letter to a friend When E=mc2 was born in 1905 Albert Einstein was unsure of what he had accomplished. In fact, he had done nothing less than open the door to the inner structure of the universe. In this brilliant and accessible book, David Bodanis illuminates one of science’s most complex concepts. Ranging widely from Exit signs in theatres to the future fate of the earth, and presenting colourful portraits of the scientists behind the discoveries, Bodanis delivers a scintillating account of the real meaning of E=mc2.

'David Bodanis is an enthralling storyteller. Prepare to be taken on a surprising, wide-ranging and ultimately inspiring journey to explore what makes us human' Tim Harford Can you succeed without being a terrible person? We often think not: recognising that, as the old saying has it, 'nice guys finish last'. But does that mean you have to go to the other extreme, and be a bully or Machiavellian to get anything done? In THE ART OF FAIRNESS, David Bodanis uses thrilling historical case studies to show there's a better path, leading neatly in between. He reveals how it was fairness, applied with skill, that led the Empire State Building to be constructed in barely a year - and how the same techniques brought a quiet English debutante to become an acclaimed jungle guerrilla fighter. In ten vivid profiles - featuring pilots, presidents, and even the producer of Game of Thrones - we see that the path to greatness doesn't require crushing displays of power or tyrannical ego. Simple fair decency can prevail. With surprising insights from across history - including the downfall of the very man who popularised the phrase 'nice guys finish last' - THE ART OF FAIRNESS charts a refreshing and sustainable new approach to cultivating integrity and influence.

Generations have grown up knowing that the equation E=mc2 changed the shape of our world, but never understanding what it actually means, why it was so significant, and how it informs our daily lives today—governing, as it does, everything from the atomic bomb to a television's cathode ray tube to the carbon dating of prehistoric paintings. In this book, David Bodanis writes the "biography" of one of the greatest scientific discoveries in history—that the realms of energy and matter are inescapably linked—and, through his skill as a writer and teacher, he turns a seemingly impenetrable theory into a dramatic human achievement and an uncommonly good story.

Bodanis is a lot like Einstein . . . Both see the fun in physics, both love simplicity and brevity The Times

Already climbing the bestseller lists-and garnering rave reviews—this "little masterpiece" sheds brilliant light on the equation that changed the world. Bodanis begins by devoting chapters to each of the equation's letters and symbols, introducing the science and scientists forming the backdrop to Einstein's discovery—from Ole Roemer's revelation that the speed of light could be measured to Michael Faraday's pioneering work on energy fields. Having demystified the equation, Bodanis explains its science and brings it to life historically, making clear the astonishing array of discoveries and consequences it made possible. It would prove to be a beacon throughout the twentieth century, important to Ernest Rutherford, who discovered the structure of the atom, Enrico Fermi, who probed the nucleus, and Lise Meitner, who finally understood how atoms could be split wide open. And it has come to inform our daily lives, governing everything from the atomic bomb to a television's cathode-ray tube to the carbon dating of prehistoric paintings.

Generations have grown up knowing that the equation E=mc2 changed the shape of our world but never understanding what it actually means and why it was so significant. Here, Bodanis writes the biography of this great discovery and turns a seemingly impenetrable theory into a dramatic and accessible human achievement. Bodanis begins by introducing the science and scientists forming the backdrop to Einstein's discovery...

Set against the backdrop of the Enlightenment, the passionate fifteen-year relationship between Voltaire and Emilie du Châtelet unfolds, highlighting their intellectual pursuits and radical ideas. Emilie, a brilliant yet overlooked figure, defied societal norms, contributing significantly to science and philosophy, including concepts that influenced Einstein's theories. Their adventures included scientific experiments, court intrigues, and escapades across France, showcasing a blend of romance and intellectual revolution. The narrative is enriched by personal letters and accounts, offering a profound glimpse into their lives and the era's complexities.

The book delves into the personal life of Albert Einstein, portraying him not just as a scientific genius but as a complex individual facing isolation in his later years. Despite his groundbreaking contributions to physics, including the general theory of relativity, he became marginalized by the scientific community and faced opposition from peers. Through engaging storytelling, the author highlights the paradox of Einstein's legacy and the challenges he encountered, offering a unique perspective on his life and the evolution of his ideas.

For centuries, electricity was viewed as little more than a curious property of certain substances that sparked when rubbed. Then, in the 1790s, Alessandro Volta began the scientific investigation that ignited an explosion of knowledge and invention, transforming our world. The force that once seemed inconsequential was revealed to be responsible for everything from the structure of the atom to the functioning of our brains. A superb storyteller, Bodanis weaves tales of romance, divine inspiration, and fraud through lucid accounts of scientific breakthrough. The great discoverers come to life in all their brilliance and idiosyncrasy, including the visionary Michael Faraday, who struggled against the prejudices of the British class system, and Alexander Graham Bell, driven to invent by his love for a young deaf student. From the cold waters of the Atlantic, to the streets of Hamburg during a World War II firestorm and the interior of the human body, Electric Universe is a mesmerizing journey of discovery by a master science writer.

Partendo dai singoli elementi che compongono l'equazione E=MC2, Bodanis ha ricostruito la storia di ogni lettera e simbolo matematico attraverso le scoperte che hanno consentito ad Einstein di elaborare il suo pensiero, dalla rivelazione di Ole Romer, secondo cui la velocità della luce poteva essere misurata, ai lavori pionieristici di Michael Faraday sull'energia. E in questa biografia ha ripercorso la vita di E=MC2, dalla nascita alla maturità, spiegando come essa abbia segnato il ventesimo secolo: questa formula ha consentito a Rutherford di scoprire la struttura interna dell'atomo, a Fermi di condurre i suoi fondamentali studi sul nucleo e i neutroni e a Meitner di capire come si poteva scindere un atomo.