Understanding Physics

Part of the best-selling "Understanding" series that brings to life the wide world of physics. Rather than explaining details about how to do physics, this book focuses on explaining what different branches of physics are about, how we know about them, and what mysteries remain for budding physicists to uncover. It doesn't shy away from the hard stuff, tackling black holes, quantum mechanics and even Einstein's theories of relativity.

Darran spent a decade as children's bookseller in Durham. They studied crime scene and forensic science at university. It's handier than you'd expect. They collect useless facts, and write about lots of subjects - especially science. They are passionate about stories, music, and will talk about octopuses at great length.

Rachel spent 11 years studying and teaching philosophy at the universities of London and Oxford before joining Usborne. Since then she has written books on subjects ranging from knights, to food, to philosophy, as well as retelling folk stories, and writing children's versions of numerous novels.

Since joining Usborne, Minna has written books on everything from pirates and gladiators to jungles and oceans. She studied Maths and Philosophy at university and previously worked as a journalist and illustrator in London, Bogota and New York. In her spare time, she loves writing stories, drawing and playing the guitar.