The "cold fusion story" is told here in about the degree of detail characteristic of the special features pages of a good newspaper; those who followed the story as it broke will encounter here little or nothing that is new, but others may find this a handy resource. The author provides enough simple background material to permit non-scientific readers to understand the technical points at issue, and has been at pains not to take sides. The story may retain no relevance to the enduring substance of science, but it reveals tellingly some disturbing aspects of the contemporary practice of science. Nicely produced for a book rushed so quickly into print (the story "began", in a certain sense, on March 23, 1989 less than a year ago!), with a few simple figures. (NW) Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
YA-- A well-written, informative book that is an excellent source for a term paper on science, the politics of science, or the relationship of science to government and society. The announcement of the achievement of "cold fusion" by chemists at the University of Utah in March 1989 was the source of tremendous excitement in the scientific world and the beginning of a vast and unusual controversy surrounding the ensuing attempts to verify their claim. Cold Fusion is not only a summary of these events, but also a comprehensive summary of the science of cold and hot fusion, the history of fusion research, and the political and social impact of energy technology development. The science is ably presented without dilution or oversimplication in spite of the complexity of the topic. It is objective to a fault, as Peat makes little attempt to distinguish between the validity of sources of the observations reported. The book is thorough as a source of facts on this issue up to midsummer 1989, and it also summarizes the possible separate pathways for the future of cold fusion that further research will dicate.
- Douglas Stickle, University of Texas
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Peat ( Superstrings and the Theory of Everything ) here probes the background of the cold fusion furor that broke out early this year when chemists Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann of the University of Utah announced that they had sustained a fusion reaction of hydrogen isotopes in a test tube. If verified, their discovery promises the world a limitless supply of cheap energy. Previously, fusion was thought possible only at temperatures found in the heart of the sun. However, other scientists have been unable to confirm Pons and Fleischmann's results, casting considerable doubt on cold fusion. Peat, who remains an agnostic on whether cold fusion is real, does, however, limn what an energy-rich world might look like in this competent, readable account of a highly controversial issue in contemporary science.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 45103831-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 45103831-6
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 48278261-75
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00070562786
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Book Cellar, LLC, Nashua, NH, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Good. Has moderate shelf wear, highlighting, underlining and/or writing. Great used condition. A portion of your purchase of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations.Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers since 1997! Choose expedited shipping (if available) for much faster delivery. Delivery confirmation on all US orders. Seller Inventory # 10773217
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Gian Luigi Fine Books, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: VG. Dust Jacket Condition: VG. First Edition. Seller Inventory # 019175
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Wild Muse, Granville, NY, U.S.A.
Hard. Condition: Very Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Fine. 1st. First Edition. Hardcover in dust jacket. Published IL: Contemporary, 1989. 188 pages, illustrated. Very fine copy in dust jacket. Size: 8vo. Illus. Seller Inventory # 001348
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: 2Vbooks, Derwood, MD, U.S.A.
Hard cover. Condition: Fine in fine dust jacket. Sewn binding. Paper over boards. 188 p. Audience: General/trade. No previous owner's name plus article HC 233. Seller Inventory # Alibris.0030848
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. First edition copy. . Good dust jacket. Seller Inventory # N08C-03709
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Books Tell You Why - ABAA/ILAB, Summerville, SC, U.S.A.
1/4 Cloth. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. An edition in Near Fine condition with minimal shelfwear in a Very Good dust-jacket that has scuffing ; The making of a scientific controversy. A tale of scientific discovery and intrigue, of experiments done around the world that continue to contradict each other; 8vo; 188 pages; TBC FSA. Seller Inventory # 42694
Quantity: 1 available