5 comments about Theory of Colours.

1. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, probably the greatest of Germany's poets, was also an avid amateur scientist and displayed through his careful observations and his keen, what might now be called phenomenological, mind an ability to discern the depth of the phenomenon in question, in this case the origin of colours. In direct contradiction to Newton whose theory of colour formation, based on his earlier prism experiments and their interpretation, was the accepted theory of the time in all scientific circles and laymen alike, with one exception, that of painting and artistic use of colour.

   Goethe, being fascinated by the colours generated from the prism conducted his own investigations and found to his great surprise that Newton's theory was, if not incorrect, but rather mechanical in nature and based on an "interpretation" of the phenomenon rather than the truth as it stands. Goethe through his investigations into natural phenomena gave rise to the idea of the archetypal phenomenon or Ur-phenomenon, in this case meaning the movement or active form present in the phenomenon which gives it its character rather than some static image such as a Darwinian ancestor. Goethe noted that it is possible to actually experience the fullness of the phenomenon ie the coming into being of the colours themselves and that the human being can not only theorise in the conventional sense of Kant but can in fact truly know the phenomenon as it is. Contemporary science as it also was then does not acknowledge such a possibility.

   The book is basically a written account of experiments done by Goethe on the generation of colour in natural events and his own experiments to bring to the fore the ground of all colour generation. It displays great care in his observations and it gives a wide ranging explanation of colour in the sciences, the arts such as painting and also deals to some degree with the experience of colours in the physiological domain. It is all encompassing in its attempt to understand the colour phenomenon in all of its many incarnations. It is convincing in its comprehension of colours and yet at times leaves one dissatisfied because it lacks mathematical rigour or measurement that is characteristic of science today. This habitual way of thinking present in scientists is rather hard to dislodge even when the mind is open, the main reason for this being the hard edged practicality of such an approach.

   I would think that Goethe's book can be looked at as an introduction to his way of doing science and as a first attempt to fathom the real depth of the phenomenon which is inherent in his approach and sorely lacking in "normal" science. Naturally, this does not mean scientists themselves haven't used similar approaches, the names of Faraday and his investigation of electromagnetism and Heisenberg in his description of the limitation induced by the scientific method to the investigation of natural processes, come to mind. It is the cutting down of the original "life" present in their investigations that is lacking today, perhaps a Goethean approach can lead back to the intensification of science that is needed.




2. Excellent



3. Very impressed to find the book as described
   either someone was very careful or it didn't get read more than once; either way I am glad.



4. Very solid, explicative (often clearer than the original text) translation of the "Didactical Part" of the "Theory of Colours".
   Although, the complete "Theory of Colours" also includes a "Historical Part" and a "Polemical Part"...



5. Clever, original, speculative.
   
   Ideas like Goethe's are the wellspring of new fashions in thought, whether they are 'right' or not.
   
   Maybe Newton was supported by better evidence in his analysis of light and colour, but Goethe's views are a study in how the inquisitive human mind speculates on fascinating topics and comes up with answers that demand consideration and respect - whether they are 'right' in reality or just useful as ideas in themselves.
   
   This book will provide insights into how we think, not just how we explain phenomenon.

No comments about Thin Film Solar Cells: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications (Wiley Series in Materials for Electronic & Optoelectronic Applications).

5 comments about Red, Blue, Yellow Shoe.

1. This book is a favorite at our house! The durable book has one large, colorful photograph of a common item on each page. The item's name and color are printed at the bottom (yellow shoe, red clock, black cat, etc.). It's easy for little hands to turn the pages as well as focus on each page. So many children's books these days seem to have TOO much information on each page. This book finds a way to attract the reader in a simple way with its beautiful photographs.



2. My daughter really enjoys this book. It is simple and gives toddlers a chance to learn their colors. We've read it so many times my daughter who is two can now read it herself!



3. As my son grew older and more interested in colors, I looked for a book that would delight him as much as "Black on White" (also by Tana Hoban) had when he was an infant. I thought this book would fill that description, but it didn't quite fit the bill. It has great photographs, but no text.

   Despite the catchy, rhyming title, each page shows only a picture of the item: No rhyming text is involved. Although my son likes the brightly colored pictures, he is more interested when I read books with rhythmic texts, such as "Blue Hat, Green Hat" by Sandra Boynton.




4. We have six children, and this is/was the hands-down favorite of all our children as toddlers. We received it as a gift when our 13 yo was a baby, and now our toddler twins are enjoying it. I believe our children learned their color names from this book. They also like Hoban's "Black on White." I wouldn't hesitate to buy this for any under 2's you might have.



5. I love Tana Hoban so when I found she did colored images I was very excited. The photos are nice, crisp and right on target with the colors. Simple color learning book.

3 comments about Catching the Light: The Entwined History of Light and Mind.

1. On the cover of this book, James Gleick (of Chaos fame) calls it a "small gem". Indeed. It shines.

   Arthur Zajonc has written a contrapuntal study of light and mind. He plays mankind's understanding of one against the other and shows how insights of mind, by mind, illume our notion of light. Zajonc tells how these, in turn, relect back onto our idea of mind. Brilliant.




2. This book is a powerful expose' revealing some of the true qualities of Light. What is Light? True, it is bright, it shines, it energizes all life on Earth, yet what, exactly, is it? Humans not only need the qualities of light from the Sun, but we breathe Light, we absorb Light. We need the Energy produced by the Light in order to live. Readers interested in delving beneath the surface of the visible world will be enthralled by this book. You will finally understand who you are, where you've come from, where you're going. Your soul will revel in this insightful book.



3. This book not only provide a full review of the history of the light (or better, of the conception of light in the human mind) but it is exceptionally well written. English is not my first language and I was delighted with learning to read English through this book.

5 comments about Lasers.

1. This is universally regarded as the ultimate reference for lasers. After discovering it in grad school, I understand why! Siegman's explanations are truly phenomenal and "Lasers" treats virtually every topic on lasers. Plus, he has comprehensive errata on his website!



2. Although now dated this text still is an excellent reference book for laser scientists and optics graduate students. An updated version covering recent advances is needed.



3. Clear, insightful, and fun to read. If you want to understand lasers, this is your best bet. Siegman also reviews his references, which is great. I actually bought a couple of books as a result of his suggestions. He is an outstanding professor from Stanford. Do I need to say anything else?



4. This remarkable text is a wonderful introduction to the world of lasers, especially good for undergraduate courses, particularly for engineers.
   
   The basic principles and practice are explained with extraordinary clarity, and without any significant mention of quantum mechanics. The main weakness of the book is the lack of information on semiconductor laser diodes - so central these days to many branches of laser engineering.
   
   For those wanting a more advanced undergraduate - or physics-based text - an excellent complementary text to Siegman's is Orazio Svelto's 'Principles of Lasers'.
   
   Siegman's book is an excellent engineering text - a terrific introduction for anybody who is new to lasers.



5. This book explains complicated science in simple flowing english and I would definitely recommmend this to anyone who needs to know the basics and the not so basics of laser systems.

3 comments about Light Scattering by Small Particles (Structure of Matter Series.).

1. This book gives an excellent overview on light scattering by small particles and is a must-have for everybody working on scattering phenomena. Whether you are a phycisist, mathematician or engineer, it provides a solid basis for the problems encountered. Further comment is not needed - just consider how often this book is referenced to in scientific publications!



2. van de Hulst has written an extermely useful treatise on light scattering by small particles. The essential assumptions in every derivation are specified, noting the range of validity of most expressions, and the physical interpretation and intuition is expressed through words as well as through mathematics. The book is very readable for people coming from all kinds of disciplines. A background in optics and electrodynamics is definitely useful in understanding the text better.
   
   Being a Dover publication, the book is very affordable and must be on the shelf of every serious student of scattering. The book starts by stating the "limitation", essentially defining the range of topics and physical behavior that is covered in the book, then wave propagation in vacuum and in media is described and the matrix methods associated with polarization are introduced. In part II, the author covers Rayleigh and Rayleigh Gans scattering, i.e. scattering by particles small compared to the wavelength of light, and then describes Mie scattering (rigorously true for spheres of all sizes). Thereafter he discusses several special cases important to metereologists, material scientists, atmospheric sciencists, physicists and chemists. These include particles large compared to wavelength of light, optics of raindrops and rainbows, absorbing and non absorbing spheres and particles with some other shapes (spheroids and cylinders), etc. The lasting popularity of the book is not only because it provides essence of a large body of work on scattering, it is perhaps in the deep insight of the author that is inspirational and educational in every respect, and found in every page of the book!



3. The book presents all lihgt scattering phenomena by small particle. It's good for simulation of the opticla scattering. Almost scattering formulas and his devrvation are detial and clear. The best is the price. Wonderful...It's worth to introduce you this book.Light Scattering by Small Particles (Structure of Matter Series.)

1 comments about Applied Photovoltaics.

1. The delievery of this book is good. I purchased 6 books online. It is the third or second one arrived. The quality is good, looks like a totally new book. In summary, the service of this bookshop is very good! Cheers!

5 comments about The Secret of Light.

1. ... I am very right brained and find this book too challenging
   to keep...(I flunked statistics 3 times, and barely survived
   algebra). Its simply over my head. I sent it to my brother
   who was a self-taught physicist and he found it quite interesting.
   Being honest here. For the right person, its a very unique
   book...not the usual recycled scientific information, I am told.
   Walter Russell I feel "channeled" this information from the next
   dimension and those who have open minds and willingness to see
   things from new points of view would probably like this book.
   He has a lot of diagrams. For example No. 38 shows the "four
   rivers of light". Some chapter titles include: Knowledge vs.
   Thinking, "Unconsciousness-Sleep and Pain", "Electrical Awareness", "Sex-Conditioned Opposites", "Light", "The Law of
   Balance", "Electricity Defined"....you get the drift!



2. An excellent and illuminating read authored by a genuine genius who was lightyears ahead of his time! Look into his UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY by searching his name on the web



3. Walter Russell accessed an extensive amount of knowledge and insights during his mystical awakening. He wrote extensively about his understandings and related scientific, philosophical, and metaphysical subjects. In this book, he talks about the nature of creation, light, life, polarity, balance, electricity, gravity, radiation, waves & vibration, and the imagination and thought projections of the Creator. These are truly some weighty topics, but Walter's text is clear and informative, even when he gets into technical topics. This book is quite enlightening and actually better than some more popular metaphysical texts. The electric universe concept is truly brilliant, and Walter Russell's understanding of creation greatly exceeded most of what scientists erroneously believe, based upon their perceptions colored by persistent illusion. The "new" physics is just catching up with Russsell's ideas.



4. This is an incredible book which should be read over and over. Walter Russell was an illuminated Master who wrote from his Heart. One of the greatest artists and scientists to have walked on Mother Earth, he writes about Truth and the Infinite. The Secret of Light will illuminate You!!!



5. Like Russells other books, 'The Secret of Light' seeks to outline the laws that govern our universe in a language that inquiring minds are able to grasp and understand.
   
   And like in Russells other works, he provides some of the most accurate, succint and enlightening descriptions of what the universe is and who we are.
   
   This book is thick and dense with profound meaning.
   Any reader will be amply rewarded for contemplating its meaning and message.
   
   Read the book, put it down, pick it up and read it again.

4 comments about Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes.

1. The second edition of "Solar Engineering..." is a much expanded and updated version of the original, which was already a decent textbook. It covers almost everything there is to know about engineering of solar energy systems, and the presentation is clear and well organized. The division into "basics" and "applications" sections is a very sensible way to get oriented before plunging into the depth of a specific technology, especially since solar thermal applications tend to cover a wide variety of technologies. The gradual and systematic approach makes this book a very good textbook for beginners. The wide scope makes it also a pretty good reference source for practitioners who are looking for a specific bit of information.

   The new chapter on photovoltaic cells is a nice touch. While this is not a "thermal process," it is still important for any practitioner of solar thermal to know what's happening in the other corner of the field. A presentation of PV at the level that can be understood by non-physicists is a very welcome addition.

   My only complaint is that recent significant developments are not well represented (I guess much of this developed after the book was written, so this complaint is not really aimed at the authors). Topics such as non-imaging concentrators, high-temperature thermal receivers for Brayton cycle, and solar chemistry are either briefly mentioned or absent altogether. The more traditional applications such DHW are of course presented in detail, but their significance to the energy market remains negligible. I would prefer to see more on applications that have the potential to make a major impact. Hopefully this will be included in the next edition...




2. This is the textbook of fundamentals of solar energy engineering.



3. This is the best book to have an initial view about solar energy and its aplicattion.



4. This book is a must for the Solar Thermal Engineer. It is very comprehensive and covers a very wide range of topics. Excellent work by Duffie and Beckman.

2 comments about Photovoltaics for Professionals: Solar Electric Systems Marketing, Design and Installation.

1. Excellent book for someone who is interested in up to date information and learning more about becoming professionally involved with solar energy.



2. THIS BOOK IS A GOOD READ. IT COVERS SOME OF WHAT I'VE ALREADY READ IN OTHER BOOKS, BUT I'M NOT DONE YET. I BELIEVE WHAT IS COMING UP IN THE BOOK IS MORE RELATIVE TO INSTALLING AND SETTING UP SYSTEMS THAN WHAT I'VE SEEN IN OTHER BOOKS SO FAR. ALSO THERE ARE GOOD POINTERS ON OWNING A SOLAR BUSINESS. I'D RECOMMEND IT TO THOSE LOOKING TO LEARN ABOUT SOLAR BUSINESS AND BASICS ON SYSTEM DESIGN.