Driving Force: The Natural Magic of Magnets

by James D. Livingston

Book Overview

Driving Force unfolds the long and colorful history of magnets: how they guided (or misguided) Columbus; mesmerized eighteenth-century Paris but failed to fool Benjamin Franklin; lifted AC power over... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067421644X
• ISBN13: 9780674216440
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Length: 311 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I wish I had this book when I took college physics

This book is very good at stating the principles of magnetism and how they apply to modern technology. I found it very easy to understand, yet not "dumbed down". It is an enjoyable read and the author has a subtle sense of humor. I would recommend it for HS and college freshman physics students when they are studying electricity and magnetism.

A great book on a subject which is universally appealing

Did you know that Einstein got his start in science from a fascination with the compass? Did you know that Columbus' magnetic compass was his most prized possession on his transatlantic voyages? Did you know that some bacteria contain lined up magnetite chunks in a form of primitive backbone that also provide crude directional guidance? Did you know that the geographic north pole of the earth is actually a magnetic south pole? Did you know that the most celebrated innovation presented at the Paris Exposition of 1900 was a crude magnetic recording device utilizing a steel wire as the recording medium? Did you know that the black ink used in printing US currency is faintly attracted to strong magnets? Did you know that magnetic rocks hold the key to charting continetal drift? Did you know that water possesses a property that causes it to repel a strong magnetic field with enough force to levitate a live frog? James Livingston's book is loaded with fascinating bits of information about a technology that pervades virtually all of modern technology. In fact, modern life as we know it would come to a screeching halt if not for the weird properties of magnets. Written in a lively, non-technical style, Driving Force covers the history, tremendous range of technical uses, and the fun, entertaining side of magnets. This highly readable book will not enable you to design motors, MRIs, or maglev trains, but it might just make you better on trivia tests, lead to a great science fair project, or help you educate or entertain the children in your life. For anyone with an interest in technology or the history of science, this book is highly recommended.

The title has triple meaning

The author starts this book by the story of Albert Einstein at the age of four or five, when his father showed him a compass needle. The behavior of the needle gave a deep and lasting impression on young Einstein. Then the author describes ten facts about the magnetic force in earlier chapters. Using these facts, he gives detailed explanations on the workings of various magnetic devices and the modern technologies of magnets in plain words. The topics covered includes superconducting magnets, magnets in motors, speakers, TVs, toys, fiction, magic and weapons, magnetic recording, magnets in medicine, biomagnetism, and so on, namely everything about magnets. The book is also interspersed with humorous comments. In the last chapter the author goes back again to young Einstein's wondering at a compass needle. The reader notices here that the title of the book has the triple meaning. This is one of the most educational and well written books I have ever read in the genre of science for laypersons.

Great Book; Educational, Interesting and Fun

This is the best book I have ever read on the subject of magnets and magnetism. It is very up to date and includes current technology of magnets and many applications that most people take for granted. Also, the manner in which this book is written makes it suitable for a wide range of age groups. For the most part it is not real technical or mathematical and can be enjoyed by all. If you have an ounce of curiosity about magnets, magnetism or science you will love this book. I am on my third reading and it won't be my last. One of the most interesting chapters in this book explained the connection between magnets and Einstein's theory of relativity. This is explained very simply and easy to understand and even has a one page cartoon to illustrate this.Also explains dozens of applications of magnets in our lives, our homes, our cars, our hospitals, our defense systems etc. I thought I was pretty aware of most applications of magnets and magetism but this book was a real and amazing eye opener.Read it and enjoy it!

I wish I had written it

Please see my review of this book, "Fields of Influence," in Nature, Vol. 380, 25 April 1996, p. 679. I wish it had been around when I was in high school...or even years later as a graduate student in physics.