Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field

How Two Men Revolutionized Physics

By: Nancy Forbes, Basil Mahon

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Two of the boldest and most creative scientists of all time were Michael Faraday (1791-1867) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879). This is the story of how these two men - separated in age by 40 years - discovered the existence of the electromagnetic field and devised a radically new theory which overturned the strictly mechanical view of the world that had prevailed since Newton's time.

The authors, veteran science writers with special expertise in physics and engineering, have created a lively narrative that interweaves rich biographical detail from each man's life with clear explanations of their scientific accomplishments. Faraday was an autodidact, who overcame class prejudice and a lack of mathematical training to become renowned for his acute powers of experimental observation, technological skills, and prodigious scientific imagination. James Clerk Maxwell was highly regarded as one of the most brilliant mathematical physicists of the age. He made an enormous number of advances in his own right. But when he translated Faraday's ideas into mathematical language, thus creating field theory, this unified framework of electricity, magnetism and light became the basis for much of later, 20th-century physics.

©2014 Nancy Forbes and Basil Mahon (P)2021 Tantor

Outstanding

Thorough but without excess. Scientific and yet very human. An outstanding biography of electromagnetism and two of its foremost discoverers.

Excellent historical treatment science in action.

Without a doubt the most important period in the development of our species. Faraday and Maxwell open the world of scientific thought which allowed the freedom of those who followed to suggest things like relativity and quantum mechanics and the hope to expect for more.

Amazing story of two minds.

One should consider that , like Darwin, Faraday and Maxwell lived over a century ago.

Great book read wonderfully

A great story about to giants and wonderfully read. not sure what else to say.

Excellent science history.

Excellent description of how scientific knowledge is advanced over generations of research. I highly recommend it.

Really engaging, very clear

I had a year and a half of college physics but got lost in the details of Maxwells equations. 50 years later this has brought light to what it all means. This is a very clear explanation of what Faraday and Maxwell achieved, the context of their work, and also the big picture of how their ideas fit in with changing concepts of the physical world. The authors clearly explain the big picture and many details of the science involved but also include details of their lives and social worlds. The reader does a fantastic job. Overall I found in informative and enjoyable to listen to and a compelling story.

Unimaginably Good

I anticipated a bunch of fun facts about electricity, magnetism, and the men that studied it. This was so much more, serving as an enthusiastic biography of two scientific giants while walking the reader through the scientific revolution that made modern life possible.

A Must read for HAM operators!

HAM operators will find this fascinating. The Faraday box and magnetism will entrance but Maxwell being understood is a real accomplishment.

Exciting

The scientist were using first principles and their brains, so exciting. I love the story and they did a great job.

Everything about this is excellent.

A gripping and informative story about the triumphs of Faraday and Maxwell, with anecdotes connecting their work all the way to Einstein. If you want to supplment your study of Electrodynamics with the history of how its principles were concieved. This is a perfect book to look towards. The narrator also has a great voice and cadence that makes this an easy listen.