Warmth Disperses and Time Passes: The History of Heat (Modern Library (Paperback))

I'm a fan of this book. As someone who has previously had multiple courses in thermodynamics, this book provided a better intuitive understanding of entropy than I had gained in the classroom. Beyond that, it's a pretty good book targeting the general poplulation with an interest in this area and was generally entertaining.

This book chronicles the history of energy, heat, and entropy from the late 18th century with Count Rumford to today.Nowadays we take the law of conservation of energy to be a given but this book allows you to peer into how scientists of old try to grapple with what was then a very abstruse and elusive concept of energy.I found this book especially helpful in illustrating the different definitions of the second law of thermodynamics. Each one shines more light on this often subtle law in physics. I was especially fond of reading the description of Clausius' discovery of entropy.Aside from these high points there were some parts that struck out completely. Chapter 8 falls squarely into this category - it is a parable supposedly describing entropy but I did not gain anything from it. Another chapter that did not flow with the better parts of the book was "Four Obituaries of the Demon"The end of the book briefs some more contemporary concepts of entropy. One question raised is on the relation between classical dynamics and entropy: If I know the state of every particle in a bottle, is there actually any entropy? Similarly, the odds of a pack of playing cards being ordered by number and suit is actually the same as being ordered in some much less noticeable pattern - is the amount of disorder the same between the two instances?Overall, I think the book covers too much in too little space. I would have liked to see more detail and rigor too.

This book is great. It is easy to read and presents the history of science in context with philosophy and world events. It really helped me to develop a well-rounded perspective on thermodynamics and to remember the information more clearly. I highly recommend to anyone interested in thermodynamics or scientific development in general.

I enjoyed this book because it shows how a concept develops over time and the many individuals that have contributed. It does talk about heat, but is leading to its final goals the two laws of thermodynamics. The ending was a little disappointing.

A pop-history of thermodynamics, presented as a concise and entertaining narrative. An enjoyable primer for thermodynamics, and an extension of other pop science history books which touch on, but do not explore, the history of the subject

apart from that the author used very uncommon vocabulary frequently,the content is clearly five stars.i never liked thermodynamics during my bachelor study, but after i read that book i admit that it is fabulous, and now the book is just separate papers out of its binding ! weeeeeee,man it's terrible binding!!!!!!!!after all , thanks Hans.

Good condition!

Had to read this for a p-chem class. It made sence when we were discussing the topics.

This is an excellent book to get a real appreciation of the background and philosophy behind thermodynamics and how the theromdynamic model can provide a very good way of explaining the environmental chaos which we seem to find ourselves in today.

El libro tiene 2 partes. La primera es una historia de la termodinámica y la segunda parte habla del demonio de Maxwell. Personalmente me ha gustado más la primera parte que la segunda. Se trata de un texto ameno que combina datos biográficos sobre los científicos que han hecho aportaciones a la termodinámica, explicaciones claras de las 2 principales leyes (conservación de la energía y aumento de la entropía) y la evolución de las ideas sobre el demonio de Maxwell. Recomiendo el libro a cualquier persona que esté interesada en la física. Pese a que no hay ni una sola fórmula los conceptos están bien explicados.

The book lucidly narrates the history of thermodynamics providing a good perspective for thermodynamics students.

Thermodynamics in a novel type. Clubbed science with history. Once started you can read in single sit. Very interesting.

I have read it, and play to repeat! You will understand thermodynaimic! Something you missed in school, because physik avoids history!