The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield

I was really happy when, after three years of half hearted reading at Christmastime, I finished it. Some of it is pretty interesting some of it not. ' This book is full of a bunch of 'gee-whiz' facts related to Christmas. Very interesting to read and it is good to read just to get in the thanksgiving and christmas season. Can reindeer fly Could scientists clone the perfect Christmas tree How does Santa manage to deliver presents to an estimated 824 million. ' Borrowed this book from the public library. How does Santa manage to deliver presents to an estimated 842 million households in a single night What could we do to guarantee a white Christmas every year These are among the questions explored in an irresistibly witty book that illuminates the cherished rituals, legends, and icons of Christmas from a unique and fascinating perspective. ' Thanks to this book, I now understand the relationship between Santa Claus, flying reindeer, and the hallucinogens in fly agaric mushrooms. There is some stuff of questionable research like the faith-makes-you-well section. Scott talks with Roger Highfield, an Oxford-trained chemist, who. ' Some good, like the biochemistry of food and drink. The Physics of Christmas December 25, 199912:00 AM ET Heard on Weekend Edition Saturday Audio will be available later today. I will bring it out in December and try again. ' Very interesting book, but I just can't get that into it now that Christmas is past. ' This was completely contrived, ridiculous, and not that interesting. Will read the rest of it next holiday season.

' Read the first half of it (more or less) this year. Overall Performance: Narration Rating: Story Rating:.What are the thermodynamics involved in cooking a turkey? What are the likely celestial candidates for the Star of Bethlehem? Is the concept of a virgin birth scientifically feasible? What happens to us physically when we overindulge in alcohol? How does snow form? Why are we always depressed after Christmas? How does Santa manage to deliver all those presents in one night? (He has, in fact, little over two ten- thousands of a second to get between each of the 842 million households he must visit.) The Physics of Christmas is that rare science book that manages to be as delightful as it is informative. Why might Rudolph's nose have been red? Why do we actually give Christmas gifts? Why has smell become an important component in the Christmas shopping experience? Roger Highfield, science editor of London's Daily Telegraph and co-author of the highly acclaimed The Arrow of Time, has taken a long-overdue look at our most cherished holiday from the rigorous (but highly entertaining) viewpoint of a scientist.

The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield