The Cosmic Machine: The Science That Runs Our Universe and the Story Behind It

The best thing about this book is, it provides the reader with backstories about the lives of scientists who were responsible for the great discoveries in physics and chemistry. I especially liked the quirky human interest stories about these scientists, who were humans, just like the rest of us.Author Bembenek has done an outstanding job. We seem to forget that humans have somehow pulled themselves up by the bootstraps to develop our present understanding of nature.I was particularly impressed with the following facts:- Prior to 1905 - really not that long ago - the concept of atoms was not fully understood.- Young Albert Einstein's ideas faced extreme opposition within the established scientific community- Max Planck developed the idea of "discrete states" using classical physics concepts; but it was Einstein who described the true significance of Planck's ideas, leading the way to quantum theory.- Erwin Schrodinger. famous for developing the equation describing quantum waves, strongly disagreed with the others who were also concurrently developing quantum theories. (An extremely interesting cast of characters in that particular story!)Fascinating stuff. Very well written.

On my way to a civil engineering degree 50+ years ago, physics and thermodynamics courses were a blur. This book, and particularly the history behind how these remarkable discoveries were made, makes them seem less blurry. I still may not understand everything in this book, but, thanks to Scott Bembenek, I understand more. (I never scored 110% on a math exam, like genius Bose did.)

A well written history of the scientists and their efforts into what makes our universe tick. The reader who is not scientifically inclined will likely struggle with the book but it is not beyond anyone's comprehension. It will just take time to understand the concepts presented. Some math is presented but you won't be required to start solving equations. Worth the effort!

This book is a great read for anyone who has a passion for science and history.When you come across the title, you automatically think this book is only for those with PhD's (and me with only a Master's degree) This is not true. Scott presents all of his information in a way the average person can understand thus making this a very easy read while very much respecting the source material. Rather than giving a detail of only science, Scott introduces the user to the history of the discoveries, which makes both subjects come to life.I highly recommend this book.

As a layperson, I found this book wonderfully accessible. The writing style is congenial and free of jargon, making it an easy read--even for someone who hasn't taken a physics course in a decade. The chapters are relatively stand alone which makes the book fun to pick up and come back to, without feeling dislocated or lost. Overall, Scott Bembenek has crafted a delightful history of the field that manages to both educate and entertain.

“Non science” majors can quickly loose interest in too detailed a discussion on pendulums, inclines, effect of weights, etc. I lost interest half way through the first chapter - although I am a science major!

Yes, I am a nerd. I love science. The great minds of the past who have brought us to understand more of the universe were amazing. What we have left to learn is so exciting.Through reading this book, I was shown the controversies that arose since the beginning of human thought and how incredible people reasoned as best they could to understand our world. This book provides a very accurate account of the major history of science up to the current state of the quantum. I enjoyed it.

I would have actually expected to see more math, but still good and informative and at the same time fun to read. I could have included some material on relativity, but I should say the part on quantum theory was amazing.

Amazing book, it has helped me learn things so far, I love it. I will keep it!Just some remarks in hopes that the writer will see and maybe improve.The 'asterisks' or numbered notes that you find on the bottom of the page, could have been more useful, and less. I find them distracting from the main book.I found the second half of the book harder to read and less interesting.Apart from those The book is great, and I love it.

I sure enjoyed reading this book. It is a fascinating description of the history and development of physics and the people who contributed them. I highly recommend it.

Good Book. Covers the evolution of physics from Classical Physics to Thermodynamics to Quantum Mechanics. Thanks to the author's intent to bring ideas in physics to laymanHowever, the intent as only been met partially. The book is not written in a way for layman's consumption.

I have read a number of science books and this one takes the prize for least readable. Although the author’s intent was to make physics understandable, his writing style, details and formulas interfere with him achieving his goal.