Explore the science behind one of television’s greatest series. Star Trek shaped and defined the science-fiction genre for generations of television viewers and writers, and now readers can learn more about the science presented on the show. What’s it like traveling at warp speed? What are the different types of dark matter and black holes? Learn all this and more!
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"This book was very influential to my upbringing into physics and engineering. A guy in my German class named Rob introduced this book to me, and the prospect of reading became too much for me to ignore thanks to many a long discussion of its innards during German class. After reading about the several unlikely prospects of creating a warp drive, it became my goal to build one. Then a few years later I got into college and my life's goal was to work on real methods of long distance space exploration and human space flight. I really do love this book for much of that reason. Also, the chapter on Star Trek bloopers at the end is still awesome. I'm a nerd..."
— Mike (5 out of 5 stars)
" I confess that while I found this book gloriously geeky, I often wished that its explanations were more thorough and/or clearer. I understand that the book was probably intended to be of a welcoming, accessible length, and that a great deal of its audience was expected to be people already at least a little knowledgeable about the physics discussed, but I felt that many explanations - even about things I think I understand reasonably well! - were confusing. Particularly given Dr. Krauss's current level of skill as a public speaker, I am hopeful that the updated version (the existence of which I did not know about when I checked this version out) will have improved and better edited explanations. "
— Betsy, 2/17/2014" spunti interessanti non solo per fan della saga ma per chi ama la scienza e la fattibilita' (o meno) di certe innovazioni tecnologiche "
— Spock, 2/4/2014" Awesome, with a preface by Hawking. "
— Leanne, 2/4/2014" Tell what is black hole and how it works. i love star trek and phisics. "
— Ellen, 2/1/2014" It discusses the physics involved in various concepts and objects described in the Star Trek universe. Lawrence krauss investigates the possibility of such things as inertial dampeners and warp drive, and whether physics as we know it would allow such inventions. He also discusses time travel, light speed, pure energy beings, wormholes, and other concepts. "
— Emi, 1/24/2014" At this point the science is a little outdated but it's still entertaining for the diehard Star Trek fan and not a bad basic introduction to modern physics. "
— Ericmgb1974, 1/12/2014" well if you are a) physicist and b) trekkie, than this book is a must. "
— Karlheinz, 1/2/2014" It's a good book but not for everyone. If you don't know anything about Star Trek or physics this will definitely be a challenge. So, I suggest reading A Brief History of Time and watching Star Trek before reading this one. "
— Dahlia, 12/31/2013" Great book! Fascinating what science is up to this point in our history and what potential lies ahead based on theory founded on current facts. Good read! "
— Karl, 12/26/2013" I found the second half of this book to be really amusing! I love how he puts it; we are all stardust. "
— Rawail, 12/22/2013" Entertaining and easy to follow. "
— Mikael, 12/14/2013" A crash course in physics and astronomy against a Star Trek backdrop, fantastic!! "
— Narendra, 12/3/2013" Finally, the transporter is explained! Really this is a good explanation of physics in general and many of the trappings of Star Trek. "
— George, 9/25/2013" another funny,simple explanation about physics in star trek "
— Yanty, 7/2/2013" I really enjoyed this book. Some parts get a little too abstract, but the author always does a good job of following up with a good analogy. I also found the Star Trek references fun. Good stuff! "
— Chris, 5/3/2013" Love the link between science fiction and known science. "
— Doug, 12/9/2012" A very interesting and well thought out book, but as I had very little knowledge of physics while reading it, it was hard for me to understand in places. However, Krauss's writing flowed very well, and I would like to attempt his other books. "
— Brownleeg, 10/27/2012" What can I say... I'm a nerd...and I loved it!!! "
— Jeroen, 6/10/2012" If you don't read this book you are a loser. Or is it the other way 'round? "
— Ian, 3/17/2012" Better than the "Computers" one, if a little jargon-heavy sometimes. "
— Benjamin, 1/30/2012" It's more dull than the story books but it's still interesting. "
— John, 1/14/2012" Penulis fisikawan buku ini membahas problematika konkrit yang mesti dihadapi siapapun yang ingin imajinasi teknologi dalam film Star Trek. Dalam buku ini si penulis membahas juga sejunlah kekeliruan yang terjadi dalam film tersebut. "
— ~Lyn~, 11/21/2011" I listened to this audiobook while commuting to and from work. It was a pleasant relief from the traffic. "
— DaughterDaDa, 3/11/2011" I read this book too young I think. Wouldn't mind reading it again but wonder if any knowledge of physics as changed since it came out. for example do we know more about worm holes then what we knew in 1996 when it came out? In other words is this book now dated? "
— Joshua, 3/11/2011" This is a great book and a quick and easy read.<br/><br/>I often thought about these things like the transporter, how it is matter and energy. It really can't be both in our current understanding.<br/><br/>A lot of great stuff explained in detail without getting too math-heavy or out of reach. "
— Robert, 2/28/2011" Utter geeky brilliance. Quite a bit of it went right over my head, such as the chapter devoted to wormholes. However, it was all quite interesting, well-written, and mostly understandable for a layman. Loved it! "
— Helen, 1/31/2011" The chapters in Section 1 ("A Cosmic Poker Game") are "Newton Antes", "Einstein Raises", "Hawking Shows His Hand", and "Data Ends the Game". If you're not curious, this book isn't for you. But if you are, well then. Live long and prosper. "
— RE, 1/8/2011" Molto bello, la tecnologia di Star Trek vista con gli occhi della fisica (di oggi). Cosa è possibile e cosa no? Perché? "
— Roberto, 11/16/2010" still doesn't stop us from dreaming<br/> "
— Paul, 9/14/2010" This was a really interesting book. Read it a long time ago. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in Treknology. "
— Karen, 7/30/2010" Hilarious and very interesting. So much is possible through physics!!! "
— Kimberly, 7/9/2010Lawrence M. Krauss is the director of the Origins Initiative at Arizona State University and has written more than three hundred scientific publications and seven books, including The Physics of Star Trek. He has won numerous awards, including the Gravity Research Foundation First Prize Award and the Presidential Investigator Award. He lives in Tempe, Arizona, and Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Larry McKeever has narrated a number of audiobooks, including several by James A. Michener and Isaac Asimov.