Humane Physics: No student was harmed in writing this book

by Francis Mont

This First Edition is out of print.

Click on the Other Editions(4) link below. and select the title "Humane Physics: A Conceptual Biography of Fundamental Ideas (Paperback)" published on June 20, 2020 - that is the third, expanded and updated edition.

Genres: Science

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2014

About the author

Francis Mont has been living in Canada for the past 50 years, after he emigrated from his native Hungary where he studied science and received a degree in Theoretical Physics. Over the years he did research, application and teaching in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. He is interested in profound questions, both in science and in social philosophy. He is a 'big picture' person, focusing on fundamental principles and the defining essence of the topic at hand. He also pursues independence and self-reliance to the best of his abilities, as his solar power system and year-around greenhouse demonstrate. He writes poetry, plays classical violin, dabbles at wood carving and has not yet stopped building the house where he and his wife and (currently) five cats live.

Reviews

[E.M. Swift-Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible glimpse behind the mysterious veil that shrouds physics

Humane Physics is a very powerful and noble attempt to explain physics as a science to the layman, but with an option for those who have fluency in mathematics to take things a little deeper.

What I enjoyed.
The historical survey. I am a historian and the mini-biographies giving a view of physics as a step by step development through those who unraveled it, worked really well for me. It provides an approachable human element to the increasingly complex science and maths.
The chatty writing style. The book is easy to read. It's as if you were sitting down and having a chat with the author, who puts in personal anecdotes as well as telling the story of physics and offering simple examples to illustrate the points he makes.
The non-patronising approach. There is no sense as you read that the author is 'talking down' to the reader, which I have felt in some such similar books. The author brings an approach of accepting that his understanding of physics doesn't mean he is superior to the reader who may well have as profound an understanding in some other aspect of the human experience.
The human centric approach. And that 'human experience' is what makes this book so powerful, in my opinion. It self-consciously roots in that and many examples used are drawn from human interactions and situations. Seeing physics in terms of those who developed it, really helps make this work.
The analogies and imagery. I love some of these such as that of a few physicists working away and occasionally dropping a gold nugget which is snatched up by engineers who turn it into everyday items.

What I struggled with.
Sweeping statements. In a book such as this opinion and fact often nudge shoulders. I was sometimes a bit concerned when that line was crossed with no marker to say so. For example, the author states at one point: “Human beings are the most self centered creatures in the universe (as far as we know).” I would hold that on the contrary, human beings are considerably less self-centred than much of the animal kingdom. Humans have a capacity for abstract altruism which animals lack and are the only creatures we know of able to use imagination in combination with empathy, to overcome the restriction of seeing everything from the perspective of our own life experience.
Limited access. This is built into the book and if you pick it up you do so understanding that without a degree of mathematical proficiency you won't be able to read and appreciate the whole book. I will admit to checking out after the opening of the ‘Maths Toolkit’ section, it rapidly became meaningless to me, but would say that it is well presented for anyone with a reasonable grasp of maths to follow and learn.
Selective information. Inevitably in this kind of survey there will be selection of information used. But a few times I felt some important stuff was being left out. For example, whilst exploring how Newton established the bedrock of physics, the author neglected to mention Newton’s equal - if not probably greater - obsession with alchemy and the occult. This to me was a missed opportunity to show how science and superstition sits side by side in even the greatest and most logical enquiring minds.

Overall thoughts:
An excellent book for anyone who wonders about what exactly physics is and does and where it came from, someone who wants to understand a bit more about the nature of science and its relationship with the real, human world.
In an ideal world this book would score 4.5 stars for me, but as half-stars don’t exist here, I have to round up if only in acknowledgement of this being an excellent attempt at something this not-ideal world needs more off - people willing to advocate for critical thinking and to offer the tools to provide that.

[Chris Angelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession to make: I really, really like science. I also really like nonfiction books. When I go to the local library, If I can't find anything interesting to read from the fiction section, I simply pick something from the nonfiction shelves. From chess opening theory to the history of cubism and from aerodynamics to a biography of Che Guevara, knowledge is always interesting. Which is, partially, what Humane Physics is about: an attempt to show to the reader that science (physics, in this case) is not simply something disconnected from everyday life (and culture) but something fundamentally connected to our reality.

As its name suggests, Humane Physicsis a book that is accessible and interesting also to the layperson. Much of the book revolves around the history of science (including a wealth of information on important figures), but more advanced readers should not be disappointed. There are also many portions aimed at, say, college students of the subject, or at least to those enthusiastic enough to tackle the math involved. Overall, great balance.

I have to admit, it's been a while since I read a physics book of this kind, so I can't offer a fair comparison. Having said that, this felt like an excellent reference book - the kind of book I could open to find out info about, say, Eratosthenes and how he calculated the circumference of the earth, or - going more advanced - the equations describing the Carnot cycle.

Overall, this was a tremendously interesting and engaging book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the world around them :)

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found ‘Humane Physics’ to be a fascinating approach to the presentation, for the layperson, of a whole history of scientific discoveries, and the significant figures involved. However, it does tend to concentrate on physics as the author’s particular specialism. I enjoyed reading Mont’s comments and opinions about my own science heroes, from such as Galileo to Feynman. There was no doubt in my mind that this was his attempt to justify the validity of the fundamental principles behind scientific methodology (as developed eventually into more recent times) as a way of thinking in order to solve (some of?) the problems facing the world of today: climate change; loss of biodiversity and habitat; oceanic pollution; pandemics etc. For me that is an admirable aim and all strength to his arm!
The author often uses humour and logic in a way that encourages the layman or woman to read on, often dealing with the philosophy of more ancient thinkers, such as the Greeks, as well as giants like Einstein, Planck and Hawking. He does allow for readers who are less inclined to be mathematically able, or even, fascinated by the in-depth stuff to come nearer the end of his book; and suitable warnings are issued in the first few pages. As a retired science teacher I found this book to have my respect and approval for both the way that the author tackles his main objective, and the obvious sincerity behind it. It is a great guide for everyone to the tenets controlling the universe, and also as a part of a menu that includes plenty of foods for thought. To partly requote the blurb: it gives the reader a rounded picture of science in an integrated and comprehensive way.

[John Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought my main goal in life was well chosen: Never do anything to cause your head to explode. And up to now, I’ve prevented that from happening – until I read the second edition of Francis Mont’s Humane Physics.

My head exploded. Lots of times. Fortunately, I kept my gray bits from flying into the space-time continuum with a good ol’ $1.98 roll of duct tape, the miraculous capabilities of which still confound many scientists to this day (okay, probably not).

Author Mont’s book is a history of physics, outlining the biographies and theorems of the world’s greatest scientists in dense (with a capital “D”) textbook-like detail. To his credit, Mont writes well and does his best to make the text light and conversational, even adding dollops of humor. Nevertheless, the subject matter could not help but make my eyes descend precisely at the force of F = y(n) (not really), restricting me to reading small chunks at a time (really). After every thirty pages I needed a nap. I napped a lot.

Sadly for me, only a fraction of the book (parts of chapters 1, 8, and 9) deals with “humane” physics promised in the title, and they are as joyous to discover as a new electron: Science vs. Religion, The Ethics of Science, Resolving Conflicting Loyalties, and Philosophical Implications – What Does It Mean? In these sections, Mont rhapsodizes about scientists’ moral duty to do good in the world: “We need to know that we are not gods; that our job is not to fight, subdue and defeat nature, but to respect it with the same humility an ordinary leaf would respect the tree it belongs to, if leaves were capable of such emotions.” I would have enjoyed the book more (a lot) if it had fit its title and devoted its entirety to such essays.

Which puts me in a pickle -- who's this book for? So I came up with this formula:

Not recommended to those who are science/math-aversive because, as Mont himself says, “Most people are not concerned with all these technical details; we are happy that technology works.”

which leads to

Recommended to those who are fascinated with how precisely the laws of nature work and are nap-aversive.

[Robert III · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of the book is interesting and noble. If we can teach people to think logically and critically about physics, then maybe that will also change how they think about the world. It is different from many other science books as it discusses the history, theory, and practical implications of physics, including the social and ethical aspects. The scientific descriptions are interlaced with background stories and also the occasional joke, insightful quote, or philosophical analysis. This results in an enjoyable read, especially compared to traditional science books.

The book covers the fundamental ideologies of science and logic. It clearly shows the importance of following them. However, as the title of of book implies, the author explains how they are merely tools and we cannot allow them to diminish our humanity.

This balance can be difficult to maintain, and the author gives examples of this. As a professor and artist, I identify greatly with these issues. The author does a superb job of presenting these realities of human nature and science. Many passages are actually very poetic and beautiful.

When the book starts to delve more into the depths of physics it does so while keeping a historical perspective and presenting in a nearly chronological order. I enjoyed how he mixed the hard physics with the historical context. It allows readers to appreciate how discoveries were made and depended on previous work and ideas. The author points out that even the erroneous work played a critical role. In many cases scientists were trying to prove or make an existing theory work, only to create new ideas and theories in the process. This discussion on the real world procession of science is not only interesting, but telling of the how the human mind works.

In summary, I encourage someone looking to not only learn classical physics, but something about the history, personalities and methods of thinking that led to it. The book exquisitely shows how physics ties into our basic humanity.

[Robert Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any physics book that begins with a poem has to be special, and Humane Physics is. Francis Mont obviously loves this science and has been driven to share it with those of us who miss its magic because we can’t comprehend the math. Although still bombarding the reader with enough numbers and symbols to power the sun, Mont fulfills his desire; his readers becoming knowledgeable fans of this nearly incomprehensible and incomplete understanding of how the universe and most everything in it works.

He does this through excellent writing, sharing insights and stories, making painstaking research interesting, bringing ancient and not so ancient scientists alive and patiently explaining what most readers would normally rush to avoid. Mont explains in the beginning that this is not a substitute for a textbook. It also isn’t another pop-sci by a Sagan or a Hawking: It is more comprehensive, more detailed, more technical, and with less fluff. Mont faces the classic dilemma; teach the subject or teach the student, and seems to favor the subject side while supporting the reader in every possible way.

I don’t know who should read it and why they would. Do regular old adults want to read about physics? I would hope so, and if they ever have even the slightest desire or curiosity, this book is the one they must read.

[Daryl Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Humane Psychics
This is a delightful book--something I’d never thought I’d say about a book on physics! With wit, intelligence and passion, Francis Mont has written a book that not only makes physics accessible, but is a fascinating treasure trove of science, history, biography and philosophy.

Mont begins by defining what science and the scientific method, including a clear explanation of deductive and inductive reasoning. Then follows a sort of survey course on the history of classical physics, beginning with the Greeks. Readers are in capable hands as Mont explains everything from Newton’s Laws to the odd couple of physics, electricity and magnetism.

Mont’s depth of knowledge is impressive, as is his love for his subject, which shines through in every word.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are someone who is fired up by the passion of a writer for his subject, then this could be the book for you. If you are someone who is a stickler for alignment with the stated purpose and for professional presentation, then perhaps not.

In Humane Physics, the love Francis Mont holds for physics flows into each sentence and can be infectious. Whether or not physics is your profession, you can be impressed with the impact of the applied theories upon our innovations and overall society. The author is your personal guide through this terrain.

However, he states that a key purpose in writing the book is to help citizens protect themselves from political exploitation by giving them a means for discerning fact from fiction and helping them reach appropriate conclusions that lead to suitable action. His underlying thought is that people have not sufficiently been taught to think logically in the manner of scientists. According to him, if they would use such methodology, they would make better decisions on major issues that include education, taxes and war. He offers this method in his belief that scientists are more likely to have integrity in examining issues and not allow prejudices to prejudge the outcome. I don’t think that intellectual integrity is primarily the purview of scientists. Individuals have integrity or they don’t and handle their related actions – both professional and personal – accordingly. Although the method for examining hypotheses that leads to reasonable conclusions is presented, Mont does not take any specific social issue and analyze it by this process to come up with an example of a possible solution nor does he offer an example of how a small, experimental group of stakeholders went through this process or could go through this process to develop a workable solution. This area of his subject matter is lacking in depth. Some of the material is disorganized and seems more like ramblings that take the reader off track before meandering back to the point.

There are numerous spelling and grammatical errors that seriously undermine the book, turning material that would be admired for the subject matter into one that makes you question its professionalism. These include the following:

- "…I chose the tile of Humane Physics" instead of title of Humane Physics
- ongoing incorrect and inconsistent use of quotes and commas

If you want a chronological, historical overview of individuals who observed nature, sought to understand underlying causes and relationships, developed related theories and principles (and you don’t mind technical errors), your curiosity will be satiated. If you are seeking non-fiction storytelling done in the utmost professional manner, your search continues.

[Anthony Stancomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book deals with the most fundamental (and the most mind-boggling) matters that man has forever been trying to get to grips, and it does this with in the most wonderfully down-to-earth and refreshingly clear manner.
It traces the history of science, and in analysing the thoughts of the ancients you get a run-down on how the thinking of the world has developed. You also get to see how philosophy, astronomy and science have meshed together and evolved over the ages, and how the laws of science have been arrived at. Fascinating stuff.
Though I did think he was a bit harsh on some of the Greek philosophers. The poor guys didn’t have a lot to go on, and they only had very few chums to compare notes and chew the cud with – unlike Nils Bohr and Einstein.
(Reading about the Greeks and the Alexandra Library, I realised that the author would have got on well with its Director in 200 BC. I recently found that when the director came up to visit the Croatian island I live on (Vis) which was then the capital of Illyia, he seemed to share the author’s well-balanced view of things. Instead of writing something weighty about mankind and the state of society, he wrote “Surely the wine of Vis is the best to be found in all the Mediterranean. And happy is the land where good wine grows plentifully.”)

By the time you are halfway through the book you have the complete layman’s guide to the known laws that govern our universe, and although this is not the sort of thing I ever read, I was entranced – even if I have to say that three quarters of the way, the book got into the nitty-gritty of the mathematics and theorems behind it all, and I was lost. (The author did, however, warn me about this.)
My advice to readers is to read the first three quarters, which is highly enlightening, and skim over the last sections.

[Christy Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is almost a “philosophy of physics” book instead of a physics textbook, and I greatly appreciated the difference. Instead of bombarding the reader with endless equations without defining the parameters (the teaching style that caused me to quit Physics in college twice and never try again), the author explains what physics is, an extensive history on how it has been defined throughout human experience, and how it can help us in real-world situations.

While I knew some of the players in physics history, others I knew only by name, such as Kepler, Joule or Ampere. It was nice to know why I knew their names and their contributions to today’s knowledge and technology. It also awoke in me long-buried memories of scientists such as Avogadro and my delight in space-time theory. At the time, I only learned it at the local planetarium. But this was much more in-depth! Using Star Trek technology as a testing point of Einstein’s theories was a great technique. And that segued into the ethics of science, something upon which most textbooks remain silent.

The last section is much heavier on the mathematics and formulaic application of physics, but it still described the equation and why it was important, rather than just insisting on rote memorization and solving.


I especially enjoyed the real-world anecdotes showing his path to science, as well as the discovery and process of experimentation. The author’s delight and fascination in his subject shines through in his enthusiastic writing, definitely a welcome change from dry and clinical texts. You can’t help but become infected by his joy in physics.


If textbooks were this comprehensible, there would be far more students succeeding in the maths and sciences.

[Chris Angelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Francis Mont's excellent Humane Physics, I was more than eager to read the "rest of the story", so to speak. Epicycle Physics is the complementary volume, showing how we ended up from Newton and predictable, graspable billiard balls, to quantum mechanics, string theory, and other highly speculative concepts.

As a physicist, Francis Mont has a deep knowledge of the subject. As an author, he knows exactly how to present this knowledge in a way that is accessible—this is a telltale sign of a skillful educator: to know how to explain complex concepts in a way that they can be understood by adults and college students alike.

Personally, I would like to highlight Francis Mont's role as a philosopher in this book: It becomes evident from the text that some serious thought went into deciding what to include and what not, to avoid excessive speculation and stick to the strictly scientific side of things.

Overall, this is a fantastic book — whether as a companion piece to Humane Physics or on its own — that can definitely become a go-to volume for anyone looking to have a quick reference guide for the who-is-who of modern physics. Very highly recommended!

[Lisa Marie Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this book as a teenager. My physics teacher was full of enthusiasm and I am sure he would have loved the book as a background read but we drowned in a sea of Banda copied diagrams and equations. (At least they smelled good). It is a book that is fun to dip into and digest and explains the process of logic and experiment in science and physics, the blind alleys that Greek philosophers led it down, and the evolution of the science. It is full of personality and honesty. I smiled about Newton, who was not in the least bit interesting or likeable but very important none the less. The author has done a stirling job and it is a book that students and casual readers can all gain insight from. My late father would probably have enjoyed it greatly. Recommended for anyone who enjoys books about science, astronomy, physics, experimental method and philosophy. I received a free electronic copy from the author for an unbiased review. Thank you Francis.

[Val Rybar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humane Physics by Francis Mont was a surprise: the author obviously wanted to write a book that makes the subject as thorough as he possibly could. I can see why he called the book “Humane Physics” – it brings the subject alive in a very human sense. Nothing I can think of is missing: historical background, biological sketches, major discoveries, philosophical and social implications, applications and even a good number of jokes, anecdotes and quotes. The only aspect of the book that might surprise some readers is the author’s obvious personal and emotional attachment to the topic, extending to comments on politics and religion as well – some readers who are used to the detached style of science writers might wonder what they got for the price they paid for the book. This can be both a plus and a minus – for me it was a refreshing aspect of a subject close to my heart.

[Lynda Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a genuine surprise. Francis Mont brings a sense of humour and a heavy dose of compassion to a subject that can be daunting at the best of times. I particularly enjoyed his sketches of physicists from the past -- he brings each of these colourful characters to life and creates a friendly atmosphere for learning some difficult (and sometimes mind-bending) concepts. HUMANE PHYSICS is also unique in that Mont comes along for the ride -- he shares his thoughts and his passionate sense of responsibility for our planet along the way. The end result is a book that is both personal and profound. It is a gentle, often humorous introduction to physics that literally anyone can enjoy. Highly recommended!

[Kelvin Dorsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt my IQ increasing while reading this book - seriously!
The author has boldly attempted to give a comprehensive overview on the history of science from Ancient Greece all the way to Einstein and made it a fun and enjoyable read to boot.
This book covers both classical and modern physics and gives great insight into the importance of science in society and how understanding science more, can help us understand ourselves more.
If we could all adopt the scientific type mindset explained in this book, then it truly would be a happier and smarter world to live in.
Highly recommended.

[Shirley Ormston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great help in overcoming fear of science and filling the gaps in a practical education. The historical background and biographical sketches are interesting. You don’t need any specialized knowledge to understand the discoveries and inventions described in the book or to see how they apply to your every-day life. The author uses ordinary language, which is easy to read and often funny. I enjoyed it and will pass it on to my grandsons.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Well worth the read! Before, Physics was extremely confusing, but after reading this book, I feel like I have a better understanding of the subject. It was clear and concise and the explanations were in depth and easy to understand. A must-read for anyone interested, as well as those studying the subject.


*won on GoodReads First Reads*

[Kenny Chaffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's unfortunate this is not available as an ebook which I would prefer.

and why would students be harmed in any case??