The Velocity of Honey and More Science of Everyday Life

by Jay Ingram

Book Overview

Why does the journey to a new location always take longer than the trip home? What is the science behind the theory of "six degrees of separation?" Why doesn't honey flow out in all directions? In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560256540
• ISBN13: 9781560256540
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Questions Rarely Asked

This was a wonderful little volume of essays on various scientific ideas buried in ordinary experience. Who would have thought to study echolocation in humans or that nagging feeling that time is going by faster and faster as we age? And what drove that Italian gentleman to pursue the answer to why stones can be made to skip on water? Frankly, the scientific aspect of the author's chosen subjects takes a clear second place to his simple expressions of wonder as to the diversity of ideas and scientific research; to the applicability of obscure research to the experience of everyday life. This kind of writing is important and relevant because it expands our understanding of the world in which we live. (I had no idea that the physics of curling were so complex and so little understood.) The author teaches his readers the value of asking the right questions and demonstrates that perhaps we don't quite understand our world as well as we think we do. Perhaps it is just my inability to find the titles, yet I believe that there is a dearth of good writing such as this book--I applaud Mr. Ingram's efforts and hope that he is able to continue to find publishers. I have little patience for those who belittle the efforts of authors who attempt the exceedingly difficult task of communicating cutting-edge scientific principles to the general readership--not every book need be the top of its field. And how is an author to hone his craft if not by steady production of work each better than the last? I highly recommend Mr. Ingram's work and find his style to be excellently suited to convey the excitement of science.

Some fascinating "why is the sky blue" kid questions!

Jay Ingram makes the science of everyday life accessible, fascinating and readable, answering many questions that we've puzzled over since our days as children - why does it always take longer to get there than it does to come home? how do outfielders catch those fly balls? and, just how do the mosquitoes always seem to find us? My personal favourite is a hilarious but perfectly reasonable explanation as to why we're convinced the eyes in that portrait on the wall follow us around the room!