The Magic Furnace: The Search for the Origins of Atoms

The story of how Fred Hoyle predicted that Carbon would have a certain resonance is already an amazing story. But the version I had heard before was not nearly as interesting as Chown's version. I literally could not put the book down. For example, Fred Hoyle was visiting Cal Tech when he asked the experimental physicists there if there could be such a resonance. The physicists first of all discussed how they could have missed this resonance if it existed, and luckily for Hoyle they found a loop hole in quantum mechanics whereby they might have missed it. So then they looked for it and Hoyle held his breath for 10 days and yes, the resonance was there. The physicist who went out on a limb and gave Hoyle the benefit of the doubt and took his suggestion seriously was rightly rewarded with a Nobel prize.

I honestly don't remember buying this. It just appeared in my mailbox. I think I was drunk or something. Anyway, it seems like a cool book. Definitely well-written, but a little too generic for my taste. I hope to gift it to some science-enthusiastic kid later on in my life.

If you read any physics books in your life, this one should be the first. No need to repeat what others posted about this book. Just read it and it will provoke magical thoughts in your head. It will describe why the Big Bang theory is true, why stars do what they do, how elements from the lightest to the heaviest are manufactured inside Red giant stars.. And how stars die so we can live.

Perfect for the parent who wants to answer teenagers' questions, and the educated person who wants to know what's going on. Quite complex in parts, but clear if you slow down a bit, this outlines the 'Big Picture' very well. Definitely another example of the author's brilliance as a teacher.

Since I hold a Bs degree in Physics, I am familiar with most of the science presented in the book to a much deeper level than the book goes into. But, I did not have an understanding of how these various details were discovered and eventually confirmed. "The Magic Furnace" presents how various observed facts were put together to understand the reality that surrounds us.The book is written in terms of what each discover knew, understood, or guessed at the time of each discovery - some details aren't "correct" as we now understand reality. For example, initially it was thought that atoms contained only protons and electrons, until the neutron was discovered. Today, we know that even electrons, protons, and neutrons are made up of smaller particles, but it is sufficient to stop at this level in order to understand the physical facts we meet in everyday life. Again, early on it was thought that the sun and stars were composed mostly of iron - until it was finally recognized that hydrogen is the stars most prevalent element.The book is easily readable and understood by a high school student with an abundance of curiosity about how things function or work. I was delighted by it, and I am a retired principle design electronics engineer.

Should be read by everyone who wants to know where the elements in the earth and universe come from.

A very useful and interesting book which was priced appropriately, shipped promptly, in as good or better condition than advertised.

I have read about 10 books on the subject of Nuclear Physics and the Atom and this one was the gave me the best description of how the Nucelus of the atom functions incluing an execelent description of how an electron cloud surrounding a nucleus can be considered as a wave funtion and not as a particle. Also it had several chapters on the nuclear industry after 1945 including the two small secret nuclear submarines NR -l and NR-1A both designed and developed by Admiral Rickover.Dave Sturdevant

An utterly engrossing book. Written in such a gentle style that you find each page riveting even though there are lots of sometimes deep scientific facts being thrown at you. E.G. it's hard to imagine the rate at which protons travel through the sun; how the elements from Be to Fe are made; and the amazing way the heavier elements are made. What intrigued me is although I've studied chemistry for 60 years I thought of the 92 elements as gases, metals and non-metals but not as 92 different atoms! Forgetting the neutron each atom differs by 1 proton from the one before (of course I knew this but always thought of them as elements - a bit of iron; some yellow sulphur* etc. not as an atom). Simple. Science made explicable.* I believe this spelling for S is banned even in UK now! I'm that old now I don't care - even using the old Periodic Table with it's triangular relationships. (The new one does not seem to highlight this).

Chown is a fantastic science writer but more importantly a brilliant story teller. It's this ability to recount the history of the atom in such an entertaining way that prompted me to complete the book in a few days. Despite being a relatively short book, considering its 15 billion year scope, Chown's portrayal of the scientists involved is nicely detailed - especially that of Fred Hoyle, who I (shamefully) only knew as a science fiction writer... Sorry Fred.The science within this book is high level enough for the layperson, such as myself, to understand but feel like they have a good understanding of the many element building processes.Not only did I learn a lot from this book but it appears to have stuck. Which can only be due to the skill of the author.

Well written but some of it too hard for me.Best for me to read the up to date facts about atoms, rather than the history!He is a good writer though and I have read quite a few of his books.

Although dated now this is an excellent introduction to astrochemistry and a vey easy read for those just wanting to know more about the science of element formation

A great way to learn the source of all atoms and gain insight into how the cosmos continues to provide matter.