Peter Atkins Books
Peter Atkins is a British chemist and professor emeritus of Oxford University. In addition to having written a multitude of chemistry textbooks, he has also published numerous pieces of popular science literature. He is also an outspoken atheist and humanist, as well as the first Senior Member of the Oxford University Secular Society.
On Being
What's On Being about?
On Being makes the case for the superiority of the scientific method over religion and mysticism in studying the great questions of existence. Even in those cases where science is not yet able to replace every aspect of religious belief with objective facts, On Being suggests that it’s just a matter of time before they do.
Who should read On Being?
- Religious people who want to understand their ideological rivals in science
- Anybody interested in the philosophy of science
- Anybody who likes to contemplate the meaning of life
What's The Laws of Thermodynamics about?
The Laws of Thermodynamics (2010) is a short and accessible introduction to thermodynamics, the field of physics concerned with the relationships between different forms of energy. Authored by one of the world’s preeminent authorities on the subject, Peter Atkins, it explains the four laws that govern the universe – the zeroth, first, second, and third laws. Along the way, The Laws of Thermodynamics unravels the workings of familiar-sounding concepts like temperature as well as more exotic ideas like entropy and energy states.
Who should read The Laws of Thermodynamics?
- Quizzical types who’ve always wondered how the universe works
- Humanities graduates looking for a gentle introduction to physics
- Folks who love a good mental workout