- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Baen (1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0671876864
- ISBN-13: 978-0671876869
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.7 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 181 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,443,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The implausable made comprehensible,
By Bob Lyle (Dallas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Indistinguishable from Magic (Mass Market Paperback)
Sorry, I love big words. The fiction was not impressive, but the science is. Dr Forward is one of the big guns theoretical physics and it shows. He explores the ways impossible science-fiction concepts like antigravity, time travel, or faster-than-light travel might be done (if the gray areas of physics have the right answers), and sometimes ways it could be done (with a lot of engineerng).
4.0 out of 5 stars
Works in the Classroom,
By
This review is from: Indistinguishable from Magic (Mass Market Paperback)
This is an excellent book for the introduction of physics concepts. By blending science fiction and science fact Dr. Forward puts concepts commonly misundersttod into the grasp of the laity. I have found this book very useful in my Physics courses. My students tend to enjoy it as well. Dr. Forward draws on his background at JPL to give sound techincal explanations and his ability as a science fiction writer to give the concepts life.WARNING! If you are looking for a piece of fluffy fantasy fiction this is not the book for you.
1.0 out of 5 stars
There are greener pastures, so skip this one,
By
This review is from: Indistinguishable from Magic (Mass Market Paperback)
I bought this, partially because some of the reviews I saw compared it to similar books by Charles Sheffield, a master at writing stories coupled with science fact essays. This is a hard act to follow, but Forward has been writing for long enough that I was at least hoping for entertainment.After reading this, I regretfully conclude that this is not a book I would buy, and I wish that I had returned it after reading it. I found every fiction story was contrived, and not intriguing enough to hold my interest. This was regrettable, as Forward clearly sees some quite amazing possibilities in the high power densities antimatter brings, and the impact of easy travel within the solar system. I did not, however, come away from the stories with a sense of wonder, or a sense that I had "seen the future." Even were this entirely a science fact book, I would have misgivings. Forward seems quite intent on pointing out the number of patents he holds. At several occasions, I felt the book was moving from entertainment or education vehicle into self promotion. I am not above that myself, but I find it entertains poorly. Forward clearly understands the material, and explains it well, but the level he chose to pitch it at was not satisfying to me. I felt that he was using a bit too much fancy footwork, and a bit too little solid explanation. See Sheffield's "Dancing with Myself" for a collection of essays with similar focus, but with more meat on the scientific bones. In essense, a well thought out book, but one that does not deliver on the implicit promise of such a powerful and wide reaching set of technologies.
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