Physics: Imagination and Reality introduces the reader to major ideas and the conceptual structure of modern physics, by tracing its development from the introduction of fields into physics by Faraday and Maxwell in the last century. Because the approach is historical, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the subjects. It should appeal to anyone interested in a basic understanding of the contemporary physicists view of the physical world. It avoids all but the simplest mathematics and presents ideas and concepts in everyday language.Physics: Imagination and Reality attempts to provide educated citizens with an understanding of contemporary physics and, at the same time, shows that its ideas have a grandeur, a challenge to the imagination and an aesthetic appeal which merit its recognition as an integral part of our culture.

Reviews

"This book is a result of a course in physics for students in the humanities and the social sciences at McGill University. It is at the same time an impressive summary of such a challenging and extremely difficult operation. At a time when any such attempts are deprecatingly referred to as 'physics for the poets', Professor Wallace's book provides a concrete example that the job is both feasible and can be done well."

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