[OmnipotentOne (OP)]

Hey im Richie,

Recently I've found a love for physics, and all space-time theories and questions.  Currently, I am a sophmore in high school, and im deprived of quality books since my library is fairly small.  I finally have a book card to my local library, but im not sure what book I should check out.  Through all of your vast experience, could you please name some authors or books that you thought were packed with information and not to borring(taking into consideration im 16) The last book I read was  "The World of Physics V.3[?]" which I found very interesting with its massive compilation of theories over the years.  I appreciate any imput you could give me.

[Ylide]

A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking is essential reading.  It's a bit complex at times, but a good read if you take it slow and think about what he's saying.

I also recommend Carl Sagan.  You might find his writing to be a bit easier to wade through than Hawking.  

If you're interested in science history, Energy, Force, and Matter by Harman is pretty good...it's a detailed look at the development of the laws of thermodynamics.  This one might be a bit over your head if you don't know much about thermodynamics, but it's still primarily a history and theory book.





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[OmnipotentOne (OP)]

Thanks, Ive heard alott of good things about Stephen Hawkings literature!

[Z theory]

read brian greene's an elegant universe---more insightful than the high profile hawking--great book

[qpan]

Z theory- i totally agree- an elegant universe is an absolutely brilliantly written book, and very suitable for an introduction to quantum mechanics and M-theory (a branch of string theory- the "theory of everything"). I read it a few years ago and can still remeber the superb examples and thought experiments used to explain quantum mechanics in a totally understandable way!

"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."
-Edgar Allan Poe

[OmnipotentOne (OP)]

I just checked that book out today^ so far so good!

[Ultima]

I agree with Z theory and qpan, im reading The Elegant Universe as we speak

wOw the world spins?

[Quantumcat]

Isaac Asimov writes excellent things about physics! I can't remember what it's called but if you see a little thick red book by him, it's good.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[OmnipotentOne (OP)]

WOW, and all my teachers are teaching me that atoms are the smallest unit of life, turns out tiny loops of vibrating string are, what are the odds, still none the less, great book and i can understand it!

[neilep]

Stephen Hawkings 'Universe In A Nutshell' is quite absorbing too.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[tweener]

I definitely recommend the books by Hawking!  They can be a little obtuse, but overall they are very good reading and very accessible to those without advanced mathematics.  

There are other theories besides string theory, so you should definitely check out some books that discuss other alternatives.  If you go to a Barnes and Noble or Border's bookstore, they usually have a good science section where you can browse many different authors and get a feel for who is writing at your level.  If you can't afford to buy the books, check them out from your library.  If your library doesn't have them, ask and they can probably get them through interlibrary loan.

Another author that no one has mentioned is Kip Thorne.  "Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein's Outrageous Legacy" is a very engrossing book that I have read quickly but would like to slow down and absorb.  I believe that Stephen Hawking is also associated with this book.

Welcome to forum and Good reading!


----
John