Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick, Gonick, Art Huffman, Art Huffman (With)

Not as good as The Cartoon History of the Universeby Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

July 20, 2000: I was delighted when some time ago I received two volumes of Larry Gonick's Cartoon History of the Universe as a present from a friend. It is absolutely hilarious! Being a physicist, I considered it a must to add Cartoon Guide to Physics to my Larry Gonick collection.

However, I was disappointed. The guide indeed tries to cover a significant amount of the usual high-school physics course - mechanics, electricity and magnetism (missing are thermodynamics and optics) - but it is not really as charmingly funny as the Cartoon History of the Universe. As a physicist, I can assure you that the problem does not lie in the simple fact that the history is more interesting topic than physics - physics is plenty interesting, thank you! But the desired blend between the textbook and the cartoon resulted in something that is not educational enough to actually learn something from it and too boring to make a good cartoon.

Trying to find some bright spot, I am happy to report I have not discovered any major flops in the science part of the book. Also, I believe the book actually becomes somewhat more interesting toward the end. But then again, if I would have to choose between, say, the chapter on relativity and Joseph Schwartz's Einstein for Beginners, I would probably opt for the latter.

READ THIS!!!!by Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

January 18, 2000: The Cartoon Guide to physics WILL get you through college Physics I & II... of course, coupled with your instructor and his text. You can ACE Physics using these handy little cartoons; and I'm not kidding! I went from a D to a solid A once I found this book! None of that boring, dusty lab equipment they make you use in school... learn the same concepts and be better able to recall them for exams using common household products. Hook up resistors in series with LEMONS??!! YES! Physics is a course in the why and how the everyday physical phenomena takes place. Who ever sees two masses being pulled up a wall and wonders what the friction coeifficient is? NOBODY, I say!! However, one does wonder why dragging a rubber comb through your hair sends you off with Einstein's 'do'. Buy this book! For a mere $12 online your course grade will skyrocket and your appreciation for Physics will swell. Mine has and that's saying a lot!