The stars for Sam

by W Reed, Charles E. St. John (Editor), Karl Moseley (Illustrator)

The young people of today are learning about an entirely different universe from the so-called "classical" science of the days when the author went to school. The new conceptions will appear as commonplace to the coming generation as they are incredible to those of the author's generation. It has been therefore the main object of this book to start the boy and girl of today with a fair comprehension of the new conceptions of space, time, and matter. Over and over again, and from different points of view, the author has endeavored to make some of these marvelous discoveries clear. Also an effort has been made to show the relationship of one branch of physics to another, and how one law, used as a tool, can be made to formulate grand laws of primary importance.

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1931

Reviews

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book remembered from my childhood. I recently re-purchased it second-hand. Published in 1931, and some of the astronomical information is now out of date. But with that limitation, this book is an excellent introduction not only to astronomy and cosmology, but to the way scientists think. Reed writes clearly with down-to-earth analogies and an occasional humorous tone. But, aside from avoiding mathematical equations, he never condescends to his young readers by "dumbing down" his subject matter. Includes chapters on Einstein's general and special theories of relativity, and the nature of elementary particles. (Note: These comments refer to the original 1931 edition. I understand there is an updated 1960 edition, which I haven't seen.)