Customer Reviews (5)

Science Writing at its Best
This book succeeds on many levels:

It's an indelible portrait of Faraday and shows how his personality affected his pursuit of science.

It illustrates the importance of the inevitable "mistakes" that scientists encounter in their tortuous paths to understanding the nature of the universe. (One of the many insightful quotes that the author includes is from Einstein: "Science is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.")

It gives us insight into the politics of science in early 19th century England--politics that are very similar to those that affect the careers of scientists in the 21st century.

We learn that science was a hot topic in London at this time--perhaps more so than it is today.The general public flocked to evening lectures by scientists.Faraday was particularly adept at using demonstrations that delighted a wide audience (including even children)--demonstrations that helped them to understand complex ideas in practical terms.

The book shows how much can be learned about the universe from experiment alone, but how a deeper understanding can be gained only by relating experiment to theory and mathematics (fields that Faraday acknowledged were beyond his reach).

The author's descriptions of Faraday's experiments are understandable without being patronizing.Physics students at all levels will gain a deeper insight into the nature of electromagnetism than they can get from most textbooks.

I've never read a better book on the history of science.

Faraday:humbleandtender of heart
"The Electric Life of Michael Faraday" by Alan Hirshfeld
[Hirshfeld is also author of"Parallax:the Race to Measure the Cosmos"]

From the dust jacket of this book, a photograph of Michael Faraday's looks out toward us.His face is the very depiction of human kindness and his eyes show forth a tenderness that is almost maternal.It is a compelling face,and in a social setting,one would feel drawn to stand toe to toe with such a man.

Hirshfeldhas authored anendearing view of 19th Century English life through Faraday's eyes,a life characterized by the snobbery of class distinctions, combined with the imminent discoveries of science in many fields.

In scarcely a century and a half,mankind went from the Voltaic Cell toNuclear Power,and the discoveries of both and everything in between are linked,and the scientific work of Faraday is the key to all. It is Faraday's pursuit of the idea of magnetic "fields"that showed the way. James Clerk Maxwellemployed his mathematical talents toput Faraday's ideas into the form of equations.Albert Einstein would later use these equations to arrive at E=MC (squared),opening the door to the Nuclear Age.

Until I read this biography,I was not clear on who or when or howour knowledge and identification ofElementscame to be.It was the use of the Voltaic Cell,a battery,whose electro-chemical process separated any compound into its basic elementsthat served as the tool of discovery. Faradaywas in hot pursuit of the science of electricity and magnetism,which led him to approachHumphry Davy of the Royal Institute concerningemployment.Davy was at the forefront of the use of the Voltaic Cell for discovery.

Nitrous Oxide was an early gas to fall prey to Davy's efforts,and these early scientists,including Faraday,would sometimes engage in "laughing gas" parties,from which there were no harmful effects.

Faraday was not a mathematician,and didn't have much in the way of credentials as a THEORIST.He was respected as an EXPERIMENTER.Faraday had to try all the harder toconfirm, byexperimental proof,hisintuitive idea that magnetism existed as a field of curved lines, and also that magnetism was not a different energy,unconnected to electricity;but a counterpart of a common,electromagnetic force.

The account of Faraday's experiments with electricity,to see if it affected light,and then magnetism to see if it affected light,is one of the book's high points. That was close to the end of Faraday's career,when he was experiencing some occasional memory loss and worked constantly.

The hight point of the book comes when Faraday has passed the peak of his career,and Scotsman James Clerk Maxwell researches Faradays writings on FIELD THEORY.

When I got to the final pages,and the account of Faraday's funeral,I found I had tears in my eyes.

An inspiring book
A remarkable and compelling biography in the clear words of this author. How important was Faraday to science, shaping the study of electricity and electromagnetism with his experiments. Also, the life of Faraday is so interesting since, as a person lacking normal education, show us that anyone can improve his knowledge by just reading good books, as faraday did, and also show us that the best way to learn a subject is by seing it working. An inspiring book.

From Poverty to Famous
In 1791 when Michael Faraday was born, England was very much a class oriented society. And Faraday was not born to the upper classes. Instead he was apprenticed as a bookbinder. It must have been an unusually enlightened boss who encouraged Faraday to read/study/understand the science books that were passing through their hands. But that is what happened. Of particular importance was the 127 page entry on electricity in the 1797 edition of the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.'

From this beginning Faraday was to go on to basic discoveries in physics, particularly electricity. He made the basic discovery that a magnet moving across a wire generated an electric current in that wire. From this came the basic understanding to build electric generators and motors. This was at at eime whent he basic nature of electricity were being investigated. Faraday is honored today by the adaption of a shortened version his name, to the basic measure of capacitance -- the farad.

This book represents a new trend in the publishing of biographies, a smaller size, both the physical page size and the number of pages to produce a book easier to read than the massive tomes common a few years ago.

This is a well researched and clearly written book that is an easy, injoyable read.

An Engaging Tale of the Man Behind the Famous Discoveries

You wouldn't be reading this if it weren't for Michael Faraday. In this excellent book, the man whose name many of us remember from our physics or electronics texts and who made possible the Internet by which these words come to you, is brought to life as a real person with a truly engaging life story.

Hirschfeld's book is a highly-readable biography of the man who started the world on the path to radio, electronics, and computers. Wireless pioneers Marconi, Fessenden, deForest and others built their technology on the scientific foundation laid by Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz, both of whom credited Faraday's work as the basis of their own.

Faraday's contributions to electrical science were numerous and far-reaching. Among others, he discovered electrical induction (making the world's first transformer), made the first electric motor, made the firstelectric generator. and was the first to show that magnetic effects could change the polarization of light (what now is called Faraday rotation). Faraday's later speculations about electric fields were, according to Maxwell, what spurred the latter to begin the work that led to Maxwell's famous equations describing electromagnetic radiation. When Hertz first produced radio waves in his laboratory, he also acknowledged that he was following on the work of not only Maxwell but of Faraday. In telling the story of these discoveries by Faraday and his successors, Hirshfeld, a physics professor, is careful to put their work in the context of our modern understanding.

Faraday entered the world of science through the back door. The son of a blacksmith, Faraday became an apprentice bookbinder. Inspired by some of the scientific texts he was binding, he began experimenting in his spare time. Self-taught in science through his reading and his experiments, Faraday began his scientific career as a menial assistant to famed British scientist Humphrey Davy. Eventually, he rose to the directorship of a research institute, fellowship in Britain's Royal Society and acclaim as one of the world's leading scientists. Hirshfeld's account of Faraday's career gives us an intriguing glimpse into the sociology and politics of 19th-Century science.

Readers who enjoy electronic tinkering will relate well to this story of a scientist whose first love was his laboratory, and who could readily lose track of time while building and experimenting with new apparatus. Faraday's approach to science was completely "hands-on." When he built the first Faraday cage, he crawled inside it himself to prove that it worked. Occasionally, Hirshfeld relates, Faraday's wife had to pick glass shards from her husband's skin after an experiment inadvertently exploded.

In his later years, Faraday became an avid proponent of science education and of promoting scientific literacy among the public. His thoughts on those subjects, related by Hirshfeld, are as relevant today as when Faraday wrote them.

Hirshfeld's book shows how all of electronics really got its start in Faraday's laboratory, and tells in fast-paced, readable fashion the fascinating story of one of history's greatest scientists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Faraday's Faith / Ludwig's Style
A remarkable and memorable book! An A+. A 10. I ran across a copy at the Santa Barbara library's donated books for sale shelves and liked the "look" of the book.The size and the "heft", too. I bought it with other books mostly to support the library selling it, :-) but when I got home, I started to read it. It is an amazing read. Mr. Ludwig's style is surprising, different and intriguing. Mr. Ludwig's outlook on Michael Faraday's life and how and why he accomplished what he did, combined in that style, made the unprepossessing book quite a read!I read the whole thing right then and there and found it an amazing reading experience. The envisioning and portraying by Mr. Ludwig of Michael Faraday and Faraday's life, world, era, and beliefs is very, very, special. The overall "portrait" is unforgettable. I do not see this as just a child's or student's book. I see it as an inspiration. I plan to give copies to thoughtful friends and family.Read it. Judge for yourself and pass it on. Highly recommended.

A fairly average biography
Based on the glowing review above, I ordered this book hoping to assign it for summer reading for 10th graders who will be studying electricity and magnetism next year.Unfortunately, like many biographies written for high schoolers, the book is clumsily written and fairly boring.Parts of it are written like a fictionalized account, and parts like a biography, with quotes from Faraday's letters.There is little sense of Faraday's experimental method, which is arguably the most interesting aspect of his career.Overall, I'm afraid reading this book would decrease, rather than increase, the students' interest in the subject.So I'm still looking for a good biography of Faraday...

BETTER THAN IMAGINED!
I ordered this book after hearing a radio drama, based on the book and presented in 15-minutes-a-day segments. I found it fascinating and inspiring, because I share Michael's love of science and a deep, livingChristian faith.True to life in those times, with lots of interestingevents which clearly illustrate the character of Faraday and those aroundhim, the story is written to appeal to any age reader. As an electronicsprofessional I did not find the writng at all childish, yet it is an easyread and contains some humor as well. One can feel Michael's pain as hefaces the obstacles, applaud his persistence and humility, and share hisexuberance as his dreams were finally realized. Mr. Ludwig's balancedtreatment of Faraday's life provides insights into many aspects of theLondon of his time, as well as detailed descriptions of Michael'sexperiments. Manyprominent scientists and their discoveries are mentionedin the book, and a two-page bibliography is included at the end. This shortpublication could be used as a starting point for researching a larger,more detailed treatise.Every high school student and adult should readthis book. Thank you, Charles Ludwig and Amazon,for this appealingbiography of Michael Farady.

i disliked this book.
i was appaled to think that someone who was born in that period of time could actually interest the likes of the people now, it was not only boring but i wish what i had read would have been more sightful into hisexperiments than his life! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

FARADAY ELECTRICAL PIONEER
THIS BOOK IS EXCELLANT FOR THE SERIOUS STUDENT OR EXPERIMENTOR,AS WELL AS FOR SHEER DELIGHT OF LIESURE READING;MUCH OF THIS WORK IS OBVIOUSLY SET OUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF FUTURE STUDENTS,AND SUCH STUDIES AS THE VOLTAIC PILE AND EARLY ELECTROMAGNETS,CAN BE REPRODUCED WITH EASE-I RECOMMEND THIS AS AN ABSORBING BOOK FOR ALL TO ENJOY:FARADAY THE MASTER!--REGARDS,ALBERT ANDREWS

Not His Complete Works - no Electromagnetic Induction
This is NOT Faraday's complete works, despite the implications of its title.A reprint of a 1914 publication, this is the Faraday of the chemical equivalent and the Law of Electrolysis, not the Law of Electromagnetic Induction.The price is right for the Master's own words on investigations into the equivalence of all different sorts of electricity, and his work on electrolysis and voltaic cells.In this work we get to see the reasoning and experiments of this most inquisitive man; we get to see how his discoveries were made, and how Nature slowly yielded her secrets to his simple, persistent inquiries.Here he gives us "cation" and "anion" and also destroysVolta's view of the voltaic cell as an inexhaustible power source.This work shows why chemists rank Faraday as the greatest experimental chemist of the 19th century.

Perhaps "Faraday's Experimental Researches in Electricity: Guide to a First Reading", by Howard J. Fisher, would be more like what a physicist would want.I have not read it myself, but I have heard from a reliable source that this is what physicists would care for.Fisher's work is published by Green Lion Press, which has published a number of other historically important scientific works.

In particular, Green Lion Publishes, in three volumes, the unabridged version of "Faraday's Experimental Researches in Electricity."This is what the real history maven would want.(...) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A "must have" book in your Amateur Science Collection.
Michael Faraday has been a hero of mine since childhood. When I found this book as an adult I wished that I had found it as a kid during my "experiment" phase. All 22 of these chemistry experiments areeasily (and safely) within reach of the average kid under adultsupervision. This book also connects you directly with history through theverbatim recording of his so called "Christmas" lectures foryoungsters that Faraday presented at the Royal Institution. The 22experiments were added by the publisher to augment the six lectures. WhileI haven't done each one they are well written and each looks like it willwork the first time. I can't recommend this book highly enough -- it shouldbe in every school library and on every girl and boy's book shelf! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Well-Focused History of 19th Century Electrical Science
This is not a technical book; it is a history book. The main focus is the development of electrical science, technology and even related showmanship during the 19th century. Technical details are omitted in favor of a well-balanced digression on the related historical and social issues of that period. Although many individuals clearly play important roles in this saga, Michael Faraday is the principal character around which the developments in this important field unfold. This book is very well written in an elegant style. It will be of interest to history buffs as well as those interested in the history of science. ... Read more

Book Description
Michael Faraday (1791-1867), the son of a blacksmith, described his education as "little more than the rudiments of reading, writing, and arithmetic at a common day-school." Yet from such basics, he became one of the most prolific and wide-ranging experimental scientists who ever lived. As a bookbinder's apprentice with a voracious appetite for learning, he read every book he got his hands on. In 1812 he attended a series of chemistry lectures by Sir Humphry Davy at London's prestigious Royal Institution. He took copious and careful notes, and, in the hopes of landing a scientific job, bound them and sent them to the lecturer. Davy was impressed enough to hire the 21-year-old as a laboratory assistant. In his first decade at the Institution, Faraday discovered benzene, isobutylene, and two chlorides of carbon. But despite these and other accomplishments in chemistry, he is chiefly remembered for his work in physics. In 1831 he proved that magnetism could generate an electric current, thereby establishing the field of electromagnetism and leading to the invention of the dynamo. In addition to his extraordinary scientific activities, Faraday was a leader in his church, whose faith and wish to serve guided him throughout his career. An engaging public speaker, he gave popular lectures on scientific subjects, and helped found a tradition of scientific education for children and laypeople that continues to this day.Oxford Portraits in Science is an ongoing series of scientific biographies for young adults. Written by top scholars and writers, each biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his or her discoveries. These illustrated biographies combine accessible technical information with compelling personal stories to portray the scientists whose work has shaped our understanding of the natural world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

FARADAY THE GREAT
APPROX 60 YEARS AGO,MY LATE MOTHER GAVE ME A MAGAZINE OR BOYS ADVENTURE BOOK ,AND I WAS ABSORBED BY THE STORY OF MICHAEL FARADAY;THIS DESCRIBED HIS WORK ON ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCES.I WAS FASCINATED THEN AND AM VERY PROUD TO SAY I AM STILL FASCINATED NOW AT 70 YEARS OF AGE :I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AS A MUST READ FOR ALL--REGARDS,ALBERT ANDREWS ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Some Reverence Required
Faraday first gave a "The Chemical History of a Candle" in 1849.

Here's part of the introduction:

"And before proceeding, let me say this also: that though our subject be so great, and our intention that of treating it honestly, seriously, and philosophically, yet I mean to pass away from all those who are seniors amongst us.I claim the privilege of speaking to juveniles as a juvenile myself.I have done so on former occasions and, if you please, I shall do so again.And though I stand here with the knowledge of having the words I utter given to the world, yet that shall not deter me from speaking in the same familiar way to those whom I esteem nearest to me on this occasion.
And now, my boys and girls, I must first tell you of what candles are made..."

Lycopodium: The Lightning Of The Pantomimes
Michael Faraday was one of the most brilliant scientists in history, yet was largely self-taught. He was a modest and upright Christian, who, while he had no children of his own, particularly enjoyed lecturing to children. Many of these lectures were done at the holidays and became known as the "Christmas Lectures." The Christmas Lectures are still put on by the Royal Institution, and are now televised, by the way.

This book is an introductory treatise on the combustion of candles. If this doesn't sound interesting, think again. The book is actually a collection of transcripts of lectures given, and includes Faraday's diagrams on the experiments performed onstage. These were quite spectacular for the day, and all evidence points to him being an excellent and absorbing speaker capable of motivating people towards an interest in science. These lectures are great as they illustrate many basic chemical and physical processes and the common sense approach Faraday used to reason through difficult problems. As a prime example, please review the excellent discourse on nitrogen in lecture five.

Of course, given the audience these lectures were intended for, this isn't a mathematically or stoichiometry based book (largely, anyway), but is great at capturing the essence of the chemistry and physics of combustion. Some readers will be aghast at the cavalier way he treats some things (notably mercury vapor,) but much more is known now about these hazards.

One thing I really liked about the book, though some may not, is his insightful and colorful use of language: for instance, he describes capillary attraction as "the attraction of the hairs," and perhaps most colorfully, describes lycopodium as "the lightning of the pantomimes." (I have to admit that I had to look lycopodium up: it is, in fact, "any of a large genus [Lycopodium] of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves," or, "a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used especially in pharmacy" according to my Merriam-Webster dictionary.) This language is lyrical and evocative, and I think makes the book more enjoyable, though occasionally challenging.

For an interesting introduction to the science of combustion, "The Chemical History of a Candle" is still the outstanding classic of the centuries, and I recommend it highly.

worth the effort
I enjoy reading physics texts, but I had never really enjoyed reading transcripts of lectures (in any subject).This book, however, was definitely worth the time and effort to read.

Even though most of the concepts are simple, basic physics, I still learned things.Most wonderful of all were the many times a lightbulb clicked on in my mind when I saw how simply and cleverly Faraday constructed his experiments.These guys really had it together.

Though somewhat devoid of helpful diagrams, the text of this work is often enough to give the reader a good idea of how Faraday was conducting his experiments and presentation.I think the biggest detractor is that you really have to slog through the work and use your imagination to figure out what he's describing.

My only wish is that I could have been there to see these lectures myself.Sounds like quite the demonstration.

Breathes fire into science
This book changed my life.

During my Junior year, I decided to change my major from English (future law student) to physics. I went online, read reviews (thanks Amazon!) and ended up buying this book, Feynman's lectures, Dirac's quantum mechanics, and Bondii's relativity. To say that I look upon the summer spent reading these books fondly would be the understatement of a lifetime--I wish I could go back and learn it all again!

This book breathes science like few others. I only wish everyone (layman and professional) had an ear for the simple beauty which Dr. Faraday makes so plain.

The Chemical Historyofa Candle
My godmother brought me this book because I had to read it for school. This book was not amusing to me and to me his lectures were boring just like some teachers. At first I had interest in the book and then later on through the book I didn't want to read it anymore. You really have to love science and chemistry to read this book. I'm a junior in highscool so I think a lot of other teenagers will agree with me. ... Read more

Product Description
This Elibron Classics edition is a facsimile reprint of a 1901 edition by Cassell and Company, Ltd., London, Paris, New York & Melbourne. ... Read more

Product Description
The story of a scientist and philosopher who worked magnets and wires, electric currents and chemicals. ... Read more

Product Description
Date not stated ... Read more

Book Description
Michael Faraday was one of the most brilliant experimental scientists of all times. Although he had no formal education,and never studied advanced mathematics, by painstaking experiments Faraday demonstrated the connection between electricity and magnetism. His invention of the electric dynamo, which made the generation of electricity possible, was the basis for all of the electronic technology that has developed since the 19th century. The electric light; electrical appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and microwave ovens; the telegraph,telephones, radio, and television; computers, and all of the thousands of uses of electricity—all of these owe their existence to Faraday's invention. A deeply religious man, Faraday saw no conflict between his Sandemanian religion, which believed in a literal reading of the Bible, and the world of science. For Michael Faraday, the Bible was one of God's books, and the natural world was another. He believed that by scientific study of natural laws he was studying God's creation just as he did when he studied the Bible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great read !
If you like history,then you will love this book! Faraday was a genius in his own time.Amazing how relevent he would be today.

An extremely intelligent book
This is very well written and the explanations are very clear.Certainly a true classic.This book will appeal to both the layman and the technically inclined. ... Read more