Light years : the extraordinary story of mankind's fascination with light

Brian Clegg recounts how ancient civilizations understood light spiritually, and looks at the first scientific grapplings with light. Clegg looks at the contribution of artists to our understanding of light, examines the great revolutionaries of light theory including Galileo and Albert Einstein, and explains the mind-bending advances of quantum physics. This is the story of light and the people who were determined to unlock the secrets of one of the greatest puzzles of the Universe. Acclaimed science writer Brian Clegg recounts how civilisations from the Ancient Egyptians to the Mayans understood light spiritually, and looks at the first scientific grapplings with light by the ancient Chinese sage Mo Ti, the Greek philosopher Empedocles, Arab genius Alhazen and others. Clegg also explores the contribution of artists such as Brunellschi, Leonardo de Vinci and Durer to our understanding of light and examines the great revolutionaries of light theory including Galileo, Descartes, Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday and Albert Einstein. In this new edition of one of his best-loved books, Clegg finally discusses the work of scientists such as Maxwell, Edison and Gould that led to light-driven inventions from the camera to the laser, CDs and optical computers and explains the mind-bending advances of quantum physics. Preface Acknowledgements 1. At the speed of light 2. The philosophers 3. Out of the darkness 4. Engines of light 5. Seeing further 6. Light’s anatomy 7. Death of the ether 8. Fearful symmetry 9. QED 10. Tangled light 11. Tyger! Tyger! Browsing Further reading Index A new edition of one of Brian Clegg's best-loved books - the story of light and the people who were determined to unlock the secrets of one of the greatest puzzles of the Universe.