Gary Zukav
Paperback | Pages: 416 pages Rating: 4.02 | 9489 Users | 404 Reviews
Itemize Books Conducive To Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics (Perennial Classics)
| Original Title: | The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics |
| ISBN: | 0060959681 (ISBN13: 9780060959685) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Literary Awards: | National Book Award for Science (Paperback) (1980) |
Description In Favor Of Books Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics (Perennial Classics)
Gary Zukav has written "the Bible" for those who are curious about the mind-expanding discoveries of advanced physics, but who have no scientific background. Like a Wu Li Master who would teach us wonder for the falling petal before speaking of gravity, Zukav writes in beautifully clear language—with no mathematical equations—opening our minds to the exciting new theories that are beginning to embrace the ultimate nature of our universe...Quantum mechanics, relativity, and beyond to the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen effect and Bell's theorem. At an Esalen Institute meeting in 1976, tai chi master Al Huang said that the Chinese word for physics is Wu Li, "patterns of organic energy." Journalist Gary Zukav and the others present developed the idea of physics as the dance of the Wu Li Masters--the teachers of physical essence. Zukav explains the concept further: The Wu Li Master dances with his student. The Wu Li Master does not teach, but the student learns. The Wu Li Master always begins at the center, the heart of the matter.... This book deals not with knowledge, which is always past tense anyway, but with imagination, which is physics come alive, which is Wu Li.... Most people believe that physicists are explaining the world. Some physicists even believe that, but the Wu Li Masters know that they are only dancing with it. The "new physics" of Zukav's 1979 book comprises quantum theory, particle physics, and relativity. Even as these theories age they haven't percolated all that far into the collective consciousness; they're too far removed from mundane human experience not to need introduction. The Dancing Wu Li Masters remains an engaging, accessible way to meet the most profound and mind-altering insights of 20th-century science. --Mary Ellen CurtinParticularize Regarding Books Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics (Perennial Classics)
| Title | : | Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics (Perennial Classics) |
| Author | : | Gary Zukav |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 416 pages |
| Published | : | August 1st 2001 by Perennial Classics (first published March 1979) |
| Categories | : | Science. Nonfiction. Physics. Philosophy. Spirituality. Religion. Popular Science |
Rating Regarding Books Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics (Perennial Classics)
Ratings: 4.02 From 9489 Users | 404 ReviewsJudge Regarding Books Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics (Perennial Classics)
Well, I read this book at the advice of Jeff Sneider who recommended it highly. I agree. This book, while difficult in places, does lead me to question my view of reality, which has been purely Newtonian (read the book to understand). I'd rate this book right up with Godel, Escher, and Bach. I will think often about it. It may be very well be true, that everyone lives in Aristotle's metaphorical cave, seeing shadows of the essence of reality. Actually, quantum mechanics pretty much says it ISPopular history of the evolution in theoretical physics, connected with Eastern wisdom. Very long run-up with sometimes unnecessary elaborations, too dense at the end. The references to Eastern wisdom seemed rather cheap to me. Nevertheless, I remember I really enjoyed reading this. (2.5 stars)
Yesterday, I read some scathing comments about this book, and the closely related The Tao of Physics, in Woit's Not Even Wrong. Apparently, there used to a be an approach to quantum mechanics called S-matrix theory, which was popular among left-leaning physicists in the early 70s. Woit refers to "The People's Republic of Berkeley". It was something to do with "abolition of the aristocracy of particles", which I must say I didn't completely get, but you can see how this might appeal. As I
Made an otherwise complicated subject readily readable for me, even eager for more. The simple analogies and examples created that feeling of an epiphany, as in: "OK, I get it now!" Beautiful.Since it's been over 30 years since I read this, it's time to re-new. Can never know too much about quantum physics. Or its relationship to philosophy.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it was a readable introduction to quantum physics. On the other, it was really snooty about "those close-minded scientists" in a way that really made me angry. It saves itself from a three star rating because I am now more curious about quantum physics and want to read more.
Rats ... I should have read this 30 years ago!"Prove that a uniform body with three mutually perpendicular axes of symmetry cannot rotate stably about the axis of intermediate length"I remember it like it was yesterday. This was a question I faced on a second year classical mechanics exam. I got the question right, by the way. As a matter of fact, I scored a perfect 100% on the entire exam but it bothered me immensely that I should be able to prove something mathematically without having the
As an engaging introduction to an enthralling science, for people who've never studied physics, this book is fantastic. I appreciated the historical approach to the topic, learning one piece of the puzzle at a time in the order of those who made the discoveries; I feel like this really helped my understanding. I'm someone who has held a fear of math and physics for years, but Zukav writes in a clear and thorough fashion, stopping himself every once a while to ensure that the reader is with him.
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