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Sun in a Bottle: The Strange History of Fusion and the Science of Wishful
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Sun in a Bottle: The Strange History of Fusion and the Science of Wishful Thinking Paperback - 2009

by Charles Seife

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The author of "Zero" looks at the messy history of the struggle to harness fusion energy, in this work that details the misplaced hopes, controversy, and even comedy of the research teams who have tried to bottle the sun with lasers, magnets, and sound waves. 8-page b&w photo insert.

Summary

With his knack for translating science into understandable, anecdotal prose and his trademark dry humor, award-winning science writer Charles Seife presents the first narrative account of the history of fusion for general readers in more than a decade. Tracing the story from its beginning into the twenty-first century, Sun in a Bottle reveals fusion's explosive role in some of the biggest scientific scandals of all time. Throughout this journey, he introduces us to the daring geniuses, villains, and victims of fusion science. With the giant international fusion project ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) now under construction, it's clear that the science of wishful thinking is as strong as ever. This book is our key to understanding why.

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From the publisher

With his knack for translating science into understandable, anecdotal prose and his trademark dry humor, award-winning science writer Charles Seife presents the first narrative account of the history of fusion for general readers in more than a decade. Tracing the story from its beginning into the twenty-first century, Sun in a Bottle reveals fusion's explosive role in some of the biggest scientific scandals of all time. Throughout this journey, he introduces us to the daring geniuses, villains, and victims of fusion science. With the giant international fusion project ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) now under construction, it's clear that the science of wishful thinking is as strong as ever. This book is our key to understanding why.

Details

  • Title Sun in a Bottle: The Strange History of Fusion and the Science of Wishful Thinking
  • Author Charles Seife
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition A D V A N C E
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Publication date 2009-10-01
  • Features Bibliography, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143116349 / 0143116347
  • Weight 0.57 lbs (0.26 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.98 x 5.36 x 0.79 in (20.27 x 13.61 x 2.01 cm)
  • Age range 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Category Science
  • Dewey Decimal Code 539.764

Media reviews

"Substantive and libely...Seife writes with effortless clarity."
--New York Times Book Review" A must-read for anyone who wants to know the story behindongoing multibillion-dollar attempts at bottling up the sun."
-Science News

Citations

  • New York Times Book Review, 11/29/2009, Page 24

About the author

Charles Seife is the author of five previous books, including Proofiness and Zero, which won the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for first nonfiction and was a New York Times notable book. He has written for a wide variety of publications, including The New York Times, Wired, New Scientist, Science, Scientific American, and The Economist. He is a professor of journalism at New York University and lives in New York City.

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