A Random Walk in Science
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Author(s): R. L. Weber (Anthology)
Publisher: Institute of Physics
ISBN:  0 7503 0649 1
Format: softback
  206pp
Price: £12.95
Review Date: May 23, 2000
Review: This is an anthology of comments, both light-hearted and serious, from 134 scientists. They are contributions from scientists at play - playing with mathematical logic, physicists' in-jokes that non-scientists can understand. This is a book to dip in to - with discussions as diverse as: the theory of practical joking - its relevance to physics; American Institute of Useless Research; Little Miss Muffet; and an experiment to prove that water, when agitated by fire, is more elastic than air. There are also snippets of wisdom: Three jolly sailors from Blaydon-on-Tyne/ They went to sea in a bottle by Klein./ Since the sea was entirely inside the hull/ The scenery seen was exceedingly dull....and more.