What Einstein Told His Barber

This book is best tackled the same way you might window-shop at your local mall. Don't expect to spend much -- if any time in every store/chapter. Pick your best shots, then enjoy.
The author serves up some truly fascinating scientific nuggets. What's more, he does so in a folksy fashion -- at least for a professor emeritus of chemistry.
Some of the stuff packed in this volume fall into the "news you can use category," including tips on how to clear a fogged-up windshield. Other entrees could be considered "interesting but totally useless tidbits," such as a tiny essay on why snow is white. Sadly, too many of the entries fall into the "who could possibly give a hoot?" category, probing questions like "can you operate a vacuum cleaner in a show more vacuum?" Still, I enjoyed browsing through the book. It even solved a couple nagging household mysteries, including what happens to socks when they go missing in the laundry. The answer? I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. show less

This book of course, has nothing to do with Einstein. It is a compendium of interesting explanations of everyday and not so everyday phenomena, such as, how an airplane flies (the wing airflow is not just subject to phenomena described by Bernoulli), electricity and lightning, defogging windshields, chemical fertilizer explosives, etc.

I found some discourses a tad esoteric (I've little interest in demonstrating understanding of how a radiometer works) and, I couldn't stand some of the childish attempts at jokes and puns. But I love this science overview genre and overall, this was an extremely informative book.

To anyone who's delaying the reading this book because of the fear that it might be too complex, too "Einsteinian", don't worry about it. On the contrary, "What Einstein Told His Barber" is nothing more than a series of short, east to comprehend discussions and explanations of things we all experience in our world everyday. (See the book jacket for examples of items discussed by the author). Some items may be familiar to the reader, other items may clarify some long since forgotten points learned in high school physics class, some will correct those age-old (and erroneous) commonly held beliefs, and others will simply be new ways of looking at things never before considered. It's all presented in a mildly amusing, simple to understand, show more layman's terms, and all-in-all, an interesting read on a rainy day. show less

Robert provides a nice job of describing physics in common terminology. I found some of the discussions rather simple, since I have a Ph.D. in engineering and have taught physics. Some of the discussions were interesting and new to me. So it is a mixture of simple and complex information. I enjoyed the book, perhaps more since I am familiar with much of the science. I think those that are not as familiar might find it even more interesting and educational.

It's a fun read with good language. And, some parts of it are truly interesting. The reason why it gets only 2 stars is it has many mistakes here and there. For instance, the speed of light being told as 3 million kilometer per second everywhere was really bugging me throughout the book. There were many similar mistakes for values written in the metric system. Other than that the book was fine.

Nice book with a lot of scientific information.
I loved to know things like how we have a so good under sea terrain mapping, if jumping in last second on a falling elevator will save my life or why do birds like so much to be on power cables!!!
Enjoyed!

Explicaciones científicas a dudas del día a día sobre cómo son las cosas y por qué suceden. Libro para releer, consultar y utilizar como propuesta de lecturas concretas.