Abstract

The "new age" to which Sir Harrie refers in his title is none other than the contemporary one of particle accelerators, electronic devices, high-powered rockets, space probes, nuclear reactors and other fancy "things" which have their intellectual foundations in the theories of relativity, quanta and particle physics. This volume is a sort of intelligent layman's guide to the huge enterprise which is modern physics. The author refuses to recognize any artificial distinction between experimental and theoretical physics, but considers them to be complementary aspects of one science. His technique is to consider various experimental items and recent technological developments, and to explain them in terms of the laws and theories which they bring into play. In general, Sir Harrie's exposition is excellent on the description of experiments and their results, and on applications of theories to technology, but it is a bit off the pace when it comes to exegesis of theories and answers to "why?" questions. This is understandable to the extent that the book was written for the mathematical novice, but there is a residual and glib thinness to the text. But despite its shortcomings the book will provide the scientifically curious layman with stimulating reading, an overview of a rich and complex subject, and a nonrigorous "working knowledge" of contemporary physical science.—H. P. K.