Levitating Trains and Kamikaze Genes Pap - Softcover

P. Brennan, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471079022 ISBN 13: 9780471079026

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1994

Synopsis

A lively survey of the horizons of modern technology. Provides easy-to-read summaries of the state of the art in space science, biotechnology, computer science, exotic energy sources and materials engineering as well as life-enhancing medical advancements and environmental, transportation and defense/weapons technologies. Each chapter explains how a current or future technology works and provides an understanding of the underlying scientific concepts. Includes an extensive self-test to review your knowledge.

About this title

From Library Journal

Author Brennan has taken on what may be an impossible task: a primer on basic (and sometimes, not so basic) technological and scientific knowledge that is at once accessible to laypersons yet in-depth enough to explain the complexities of astronomy, computer science, genetics, the environment, medicine, superconductivity, transportation, and arms control. He is at least half successful; written in a breezy and chatty style, his book often does well at clarifying basic scientific concepts, but falters with others (the speed of light is described as the "universal speed limit," but there is no explanation of why that is so). The choices for emphasis seem arbitary, or merely trendy, and the idea of "literacy" is used more as a catchword than a concept. Still, a reasonable choice for young adult and general collections as a sort of appetizer, but not as a main course.
- Mark Shelton, Columbus, Ohio
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0471079022
• ISBN 13: 9780471079026
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288