Rainbows, Snowflakes, and Quarks: Physics and the World Around Us

I have purchased about a dozen copies of this book to give to friends, family, and their kids over the years, and have enjoined others to get copies. It saved my son from evil teachers by offering up physics in a thoroughly engaging, embracable way. I heard about it from a physicist friend and called the author, a professor, many years ago to get a copy from him (before Internet used books existed). He told me his university had discontinued it and he had few copies left. But after a delighful conversation, he looked into getting it for me, and once I had it, I could not believe it wasn't required reading for every high school student in first year physics. Not to say it's simplistic! It's accessible -- and has something in it for every age and every level of education. I read pieces to my kids in elementary school and to my brilliant father in the hospital. I have a few extras on hand all the time for inspired gift-giving (even as house gifts), and have always been sent grateful thanks. I wish it could be put back in print. You won't regret this purchase!

This jewel of a book cannot be given enough praise. Nature is extremely puzzling when viewed from the perspective of modern physics. A few people try to describe these puzzles without relying too much on very abstract and theoretical concepts. Hans Christian von Baeyer is a special one of these, he is one who's writings gain in clarity what they lose in mathematical detail. Well done.