Product Description
In a sweeping yet concise scientific adventure story, Tom Shachtman takes us on a journey in which the extraordinary secrets of cold are teased apart and mastered, bringing advances in civilization and comfort. Starting in the 1600s with an alchemist's attempt to air-condition Westminster Abbey, the incredible story includes the invention of thermometers and scales, the sale of Walden Pond ice to tropical countries by nineteenth-century merchants, and the pursuit of absolute zero by scientists who competed with as much fervor as those racing to the poles.Amazon.com Review
Ancient minds imagined the benefits of technological advancesthat wouldn't be realized for hundreds of years:"heavier-than-air-flight, ultrarapid ground transportation, theprolongation of life through better medicines, even the constructionof skyscrapers and the use of robots." But as Tom Shachtman points outin his Alfred P. Sloan-funded science history Absolute Zero and theConquest of Cold, no one could conceive of how or why humans wouldmake use of intense cold. "Cold was a mystery without an obvioussource, a chill associated with death, inexplicable, too fearsome tooinvestigate."

But as we now know, the mastery of cold has yieldedinnumerable advances, from the ubiquitous presence of refrigerationand air-conditioning to phenomenal leaps in superconductivity andsubatomic research--in 1999 alone, Shachtman cites, a Harvard teamused laser cooling to create an environment 50-billionths of a degreeabove zero, slowing the speed of light to just 38 miles per hour! Absolute Zero guides us skillfully through the fitful, nascentgrowth of this misunderstood, bastard branch of science, from theearly accomplishments of Boyle, Joule, William Thomson (later LordKelvin), and other lesser-knowns like Anders Celsius and GabrielDaniel Fahrenheit to the 20th century, the integration of ultracoldresearch with quantum theory, and the most recent accomplishments inthe field. Shachtman's approachable voice proves equally facile withboth the science of cold and the mundane history of its technical andcommercial uses, including the global ice trade and the work of one ofcold's greatest commercial pioneers, a chemist named ClarenceBirdseye. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Excellent inside story of low-temperature thermodynamics
I'm amazed how juicy this book is. While most books peter off towards the end, Shachtman is still spitting out story after story about heat and absolute cold in the last forty-pages. Excellent book.

Simply unreadable
I'm really interesting in the pursuit of absolute zero. And this seemed like the book. I confess, I've struggled with it, even trying to skip sections, but I just can't make it through it. It's not just that it's historical rather than scientific writing -- I expected that. It's that Shachtman seems to follow the Kitchen Sink theory of writing, and has to insert every factoid he possesses about every story, whether it's relevant or not.

For instance, his opening story -- a grabber about one of the first public presentations of cooling a room -- starts off well enough with Cornelis Drebbel. And it would be a good story. However, soon, we're into the family histories of everyone even tangentially connected. Did we really need to know (we're just on page 5 mind you, the experiment hasn't even begun) that "Assisting Drebbel were, in all likelihood, Abraham and Jacob Kuffler, Dutch brothers who had come to England that year, begun apprenticeships with him, and concocted a scheme in which one or the other would marry Drebbel's daughter..."

Here we have a digression which is not only irrelevant, but also pertaining to two men who may not even have been present. This sort of writing is not just irritating, it's downright discouraging. And symptomatic of the whole book. So disappointing... I was really looking forward to reading this one.Purchase at your own peril.

Utterly annoying and scientifically misleading
I got the distinct impression that the author lost interest in his own work somewhere after the third chapter, but had already spent his advance and was forced to finish writing it.The science is misleading (I think he mentioned "vaccuming off lighter molecules" of the same gas in the Kammerleigh Onnes section, maybe forgetting that identical molecules all have the same molecular weight unless we are talking isotopes, but hey, who wants to bother getting the scientific fundamentals straight when we can gossip about Tydall and Dewar's little falling out...).This book is a exaggerated People magazine retelling of the search to attain Absolute Zero.The author would have been wise to try speaking to a few living scientists to get a feel for the real challenges, frustrations, and joys of doing research rather than investing so much energy in "he said, she said" stories. I think the telling of this story would best have been left to someone with a better understanding of physics and the art of doing scientific research. From my own experience, research is no more a "wild ride" than gardening, or a long hike.It's joys are subtle but persistent, not a point this author ever seems to have understood.

Utterly annoying and scientifically misleading
I got the distinct impression that the author lost interest in his own work somewhere after the third chapter, but had already spent his advance and was forced to finish writing it.The science is misleading (I think he mentioned "vaccuming off lighter molecules" of the same gas in the Kammerleigh Onnes section, maybe forgetting that identical molecules all have the same molecular weight unless we are talking isotopes, but hey, who wants to bother getting the scientific fundamentals straight when we can gossip about Tydall and Dewar's little falling out...).This book is a exaggerated People magazine retelling of the search to attain Absolute Zero.The author would have been wise to try speaking to a few living scientists to get a feel for the real challenges, frustrations, and joys of doing research rather than investing so much energy in "he said, she said" stories. I think the telling of this story would best have been left to someone with a better understanding of physics and the art of doing scientific research. From my own experience, research is no more a "wild ride" than gardening, or a long hike.It's joys are subtle but persistent, not a point this author ever seems to have understood.

Very Well Written Understandable Yet Technical Book
This is a very interesting book. The technology discussed is complex, but the complexity never gets in the way or leaves the reader wondering what the author is talking about.I highly recommend this book especially for those interested in the history of industrial revolution, or in the sequence of discoveries leading to the discovery of super conductors. ... Read more

Product Description

On one of the coldest nights in Minnesota history, the difference between life and death is literally the blink of an eye for Phil Broker, until recently St. Paul's most successful undercover cop. That blink will convey the urgent warning of a comatose man who knows the dark truth binding Broker to a remarkable cast of characters -- a weary anesthesiologist, a brilliant surgeon, a wealthy novelist, his ex-wife (a reformed exotic dancer) and her unrepentant pimp.

For Broker it all began when he agreed to take three big-city professionals on a canoeing trip across Minnesota's most remote lakes. One of the three is horribly injured in a freak October blizzard, and Broker embarks on a white-knuckle rescue against time and the elements, ending with a writer in a coma and his accountant dead. Suspicious of foul play, Broker follows a twisted trail of manipulation and revenge that leads back to the writer's beautiful wife -- and a ring of men caught in a deadly competition for her affections.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Taut thriller, intriguing characters
It's my first Logan's novel and I find it every enjoyable.It's a good plot and the characters have depth.I especially enjoy the slimery aspect of the personalities.The writing and pacing are great.I'll check out his other novels.

Literary, but not a thriller
Chuck Logan is a very skillful author. His ability to describe the environment of northern Minnesota is, like the weather there, breath taking. However, I hesitate to call this a thriller. There are roughly three "scenes" in the novel that are thrilling, which leaves a lot that is not. I found myself doing a bit of skimming to get by the overly-detailed discriptions of meals, barn contents and medical procedures. Three star rating. So-so.

First Logan novel.
This is my frst Chuck Logan novel and I have to say it will not be my last!Starting with a very exciting camping / canoe trip to supposed murder, this haunted ex-cop with a world of problems of his own goes on to win out in the very cold Minnasota winter.Good story telling!

Page turner - for a while
The first 80 pages rush at you like the snow storm that drives the action. Then the story meanders for a while before a good end game. This one is worth the time.

Really Absolute Zero
I find it amazing that the title of this book also serves as an apt description of it's value.Unless of course you're turned on by mindlessly crude language.If the number of "f" words were removed from the book, it would be 100 pages shorter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This book will definitelytickle the funny bone of both scientists & non-scientists alike!
This is just a collectionof jokes, anecdotes, limericks & riddles revealing the funny side of physics, biology, mathematics, & other branches of science. I often buy books like this one - in fact, I have already amassed a vast collection over the years. I will often browse them from time to time, just to keep my intellectual mind, - not just my funny bone - alive!

Absolute Zero Gravity captures the levity of the world of science. I always have a ardent fascination for science, technology & discovery.

To some people, science may seem stuffy & serious, but behind the equations, observations, & reactions lies a hidden affinity for the irrational, the paradoxical, & the simply amusing. From Darwin to Einstein, from astronomy to zoology, Absoulte Zero Gravity includes all the funniest manifestations of the scientific method: from irreverent anecdotes & brilliant insults to practical jokes, experimental graffiti, & proofs of the absurd e.g.

The astrophysicist's dilemma:

If the universe is really expanding, why can't you find a parking place?

Let me share with readers one interesting joke from the section under 'Science, Nonscience & AntiScience':

An engineer, a physicist, a mathematician, & a mystic were asked to name the greatest invention of all time. The engineer chose fire, which gave humanity power over matter. The physicist chose the wheel, which gave humanity power over space. The mathematician chose the alphabet, which gave humanity power over symbols. The mystic chose the thermos bottle.

"Why a thermos bottle?" the others asked.

"Because the thermos keeps hot liquids hot in winter & cold liquids cold in summer."

"Yes - so what?"

"Think about it," said the mystic reverently. "That little bottle - how does it know?"

Let me say this: Absolute Zero Gravity will definitelytickle the funny bone of both scientists & non-scientists alike!

Absolute Zero Gravity is a great gift idea for Geeks!
This is one of those Rolling-On-The-Floor (LMAO) books that really only makes sense if you are a Geek yourself. It's a great gift and it's very lighthearted.Most of the jokes/anecdotes are short.Warning: it's adictive...

Tremendously Funny!
By far, the best collection of Science, math, and computer jokes I've seen. Few of the jokes are misses, and there's even an explanation for some of the most obscure gags. The section on how various professions prove numbers prime is a scream.

Hilarious!
This book contains side-splitting humor for anyone who appreciates science, engineering, or mathematics (or not!). The collection of light bulb jokes is amazing. Too bad it's out of print. It made a wonderful Christmas present for all my nerdy family members and friends, and some of them kept asking me for copies so they could pass it on. ... Read more

Product Description
When Uncle Parker wins a luxury holiday in a slogan competition, the rest of the Bagthorpes are determined that they can do better. Suddenly there isn't an unfilled entry form to be found as they jauntily compose jingles, scribble slogans and fire out forms to the right, left and centre.Only Jack and his hapless hound Zero refuse to be swept up in the hysteria. After all, everybody knows that they could never win anything. So how exactly does Zero find himself the most famous dog in England ...? BLHelen Cresswell has written over 40 much-loved books for children, as well as adapting stars such as The Demon Headmaster for television. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Inspired Madness & Brilliant Chaos
I *loved* these books as a child-- so much that I found I could still remember some of the sentences word-for-word as an adult. Even as an adult I found myself giggling out loud as I read about The Bagthorpe's and their contest-entering mania.

Shame that it's out of print! Bring it back!

absolute madness
Absolute Zero, the 2nd in the Bagthorpes series was the book that hooked me to the Bagthorpe series.The Bagthorpe clan with its outrageous personalities reminds me still of my own large eccentric family.One of my fondest childhood memories is the hours I spent laughing at the antics of Jack and his family.I found the feud between Uncle Parker and Mr. Bagthorpe to be hilarious.Mrs Fosdale is a wonderful minor character and her reaction to the pantry still dissolves me into hysteria.Jack Bagthorpe was as close as a best friend to me.His misadventures with Zero and his family still make me laugh, smile and want to hear more.If your child is not quite ready for Harry Potter or needs a fill in the Bagthorpes though a different genre will absolutely do!

absolute madness
Absolute Zero, the 2nd in the Bagthorpes series was the book that hooked me to the Bagthorpe series.The Bagthorpe clan with its outrageous personalities reminds me still of my own large eccentric family.One of my fondest childhood memories is the hours I spent laughing at the antics of Jack and his family.I found the feud between Uncle Parker and Mr. Bagthorpe to be hilarious.Mrs Fosdale is a wonderful minor character and her reaction to the pantry still dissolves me into hysteria.Jack Bagthorpe was as close as a best friend to me.His misadventures with Zero and his family still make me laugh, smile and want to hear more.If your child is not quite ready for Harry Potter or needs a fill in the Bagthorpes though a different genre will absolutely do!

Hysterical.Classic.Perfect.
Absolute Zero is the second book of the Bagthorpe Saga, and in my opinion, it's the best, although the first four in the series are all exceptional. I loved these books as a child, and I love them now as an adult - it's apity they are out of print in the US.(They are, however, still availablein the UK, and US readers can order them online from amazon.co.uk, amongother online shops.Believe me, the extra shipping is more than worthit.)

Like Ordinary Jack before it, Absolute Zero chronicles the lives ofthe eccentric, lunatic Bagthorpes.Competition madness overtakes thefamily after the urbane Uncle Parker wins a Caribbean trip for two.Betteryet, while Uncle Parker and Aunt Celia take their trip, their daughterDaisy, the world's only destructively creative four-year-old, is left withthe Bagthorpes.Hilarity inevitably ensues, in the shape of Daisy-induceddisasters, police involvement, and unfortunate prizes.

The dry humor andintelligent wit of the early books in the Bagthorpe series raise them abovetheir genre, and the books are as fresh and entertaining now as fifteenyears ago.Any adult who still knows how to laugh would enjoy thesenovels, and as for children - well, the danger isn't that they won't likeit.The danger is that they will start tearing the labels off canned goodsin their parents' pantries, in hopes of recreating the joy of theseries.

(NB: The last few books of the series - I believe it's now up toseven or eight books - are not at all worth reading.The first four in thesaga are musts, and true Bagthorpe fans will probably enjoy book five andeven book six, but after that, don't bother.Spare yourself the pain ofseeing one of the best humorous series of our time go to pot.)

Some of the funniest writing ever!
This is part 2 of Helen Cresswell's "Bagthorpe Saga", a truly hilarious series about a bizarre British family.As an adult, I still treasure these books and read them when I'm in need of a laugh. (For moredescription of the Bagthorpes, read the first review of "OrdinaryJack", the first book in the series. I agree with that reviewer'scomments.)

I think part of the reason these books aren'tvery wellknown in the US is that the reading level is quite high,especiallycompared to most contemporary kids' series.A young person who's agiftedreader and appreciates British-style humour - a la "Monty Python"or "Fawlty Towers" - would surely enjoy them.I'd suggestchecking used bookshops (e.g. through Bibliofind web site), or the AmazonUK site.You won't regret getting to know the Bagthorpes! ... Read more

Product Description
Absolute Zero is a black comedy ripe with puns. A postmodern bildungsroman.A comic revenge tragedy. A collection of black marks on white paper that challenges us to discern fiction from non-fiction as it traces the life of the story's protagonist, Justin Time. At age 17, Time stops aging, and so begins his journey. Follow him as he becomes a reluctant cult idol and encounters quirky characters in his search for self-definition. ... Read more

Product Description
Investigating the death of Irene's father, whose body has never been found, the Hardys learn about his research with highly profitable superconductors and begin an adventure that takes them from Los Alamos to Antarctica. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

When crime raises its height, you have to go anywhere
A great book. Starting with the dissapearance of Irene's father, it goes to New Mexico with the boys in hot pursuit of the great scientist. This puts or rather takes them to Antarctica where the cold there to bury theboys anytime !

An excellent book!!!
The book is a very intresting one.Frank and Joe have shown their talents in solving puzzling cases.They risked their own life to help Irene to find her father.He had been officialy declared dead but Irene had a strongbelief of him being alive.The Hardy boys risked a trip to Antartica to findthemselves in trouble.Find out yourselves on how Frank and Joe Hardy solveone of the most challenging cases they ever came across.

GREAT!!!
This is a great book.Its full of action. The guys must find a person, who just may not want to be found.

GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a book I've read several times, and have not gotten board.It's full of action and suspense. This book is great for a starter. It will prove why Frank and Joe are so popular. ... Read more

Product Description
Craig Freemont commits a crime and is sentenced to die. While he awaits his sentence he ponders the conflict of values versus temptation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fabulous plot and action
I read 3-4 books a week for 30 years and more and I usually cannot find anything that is original and captivating.I was so shocked that this book was so good in developing the suspense and the character development was terrific, but what was really awesome was the technical data and research that was highly readable and educational and seamlessly fitted in.I just loved it!!I will buy anything this author writes in the future.

Excellent first effort!Truly engaging.Intelligent!
Fred is a friend of mine and I am proud of his most excellent first effort.This book is intelligent, engaging and truly interesting.A delightful read! A unique and enthralling story of high-tech terrorismplayed out in the heartland of modern-day America.This is a fun and trulyengaging read! ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Macmillan Reference USA Science Library: Mathematics, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 1413 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Explores the functions of math in daily life, as well as its role as a tool for measurement, data analysis, and technological development. This illustrated set also explains basic concepts of math and geometry, and provides information on historical milestones, notable mathematicians, and today's career choices. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Boiling Point, Absolute Zero, Melting Point, Thermodynamic Temperature, Antenna Noise Temperature, Curie Temperature, Thermoception, Room Temperature, Glass Transition, Cryobiology, Thermal Comfort, Normal Human Body Temperature, Negative Temperature, International Temperature Scale of 1990, Critical Points of the Elements, Operating Temperature, Cold, Temperature Range, Hypsometric Equation, Mean Radiant Temperature, Viehland-Mason Theory, Iso 1, Absolute Hot, Felt Air Temperature, Néel Temperature, −40, Park Effect, Lambda Point, Thermowell, Excitation Temperature, Mean Kinetic Temperature, Hardening, Freeze Thaw Resistance, Airport Reference Temperature, Softening Point, Athermalization. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 139. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Thermodynamic temperature is the absolute measure of temperature and is one of the principal parameters of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic temperature is an "absolute" scale because it is the measure of the fundamental property underlying temperature: its null or zero point, absolute zero, is the temperature at which the particle constituents of matter have minimal motion and can be no colder. Fig. 1 The translational motion of fundamental particles of nature such as atoms and molecules gives a substance its temperature. Here, the size of helium atoms relative to their spacing is shown to scale under 1950 atmospheres of pressure. These room-temperature atoms have a certain average speed (slowed down here two trillion-fold). At any given instant however, a particular helium atom may be moving much faster than average while another may be nearly motionless. Five atoms are colored red to facilitate following their motions.Temperature arises from the random submicroscopic vibrations of the particle constituents of matter. ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=41789 ... Read more