Driving Force: The Natural Magic of Magnets

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Here's one you may not have thought about in a while: Magnets, how do they work and what do they do? Well, James D. Livingston, a former specialist in magnetic research for General Electric, has answers for you in this look at the technological marvels performed by the power of magnets. "Very few of the teenagers listening to the latest rock or rap through their earphones today," he writes, "realize the debt they owe to improved permanent magnets." No doubt. But as Livingston points out, magnets are at the core of videocassette recorders, telephones, radios, cassette recorders, washers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, clocks, printers and television. And you thought they were just something you stuck on the refrigerator door.


From Library Journal
Magnets and magnetism are seldom thought about, but their quiet contribution to our lives in appliance motors, VCRs, cars, and medical equipment is truly astounding. Livingston, currently at MIT and previously a physicist in materials development at General Electric, deftly explains the uses of magnets, the properties of magnetism, and how modern materials science uses both. Writing succinctly and enthusiastically, he probes a varied list of subjects (geoscience, motors, biomagnetism, magic tricks and toys, trains, superconductors, etc.), with history and definitions included. Informative, well laid out, and enjoyable, this is highly recommended for all collections.?Michael David Cramer, Virginia Polytechnic & State Univ. Libs., BlacksburgCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The New York Times Book Review, Marcia Bartusiak
Mr. Livingston presents this engaging information in a quaint, instructional style.


From Booklist
They're everywhere: in our stereos, TVs, cars, hospitals, refrigerators, and within Mother Earth herself. Fearing such familiarity breeds indifference about magnets, Dr. Livingston presumes that some consumers, perhaps latently curious about their microwave oven beyond its instant zapping capability, wonder how the contraption works. In that appliance, as in dozens of others, Livingston describes the key as a magnetic device originally invented for a completely different purpose, in this case, for the radar that defeated U-boats in World War II. (Chew on that over your lean cuisine.) On top of making unexpected technological connections, Livingston simplifies Maxwell's electromagnetic theories into nine principles of magnetic behavior, whose action he regularly reminds the reader of during his crystal clear explanations of what, for example, makes a maglev train levitate or magnetic resonance imaging resonate. From the rational, Livingston jumps to the mythical, such as the belief that natural magnets were amorous attractants, to the 1800s quackery of mesmerism. A stimulating variety of science, history, and technology delivered enthusiastically. Gilbert Taylor


From Book News, Inc.
Weird?- a passion for magnetism? Then Livingston (materials science, MIT) is very weird. He details this force's use & impact in cultures as diverse as Einstein & James Bond. Splendid, compelling popular science of medicine, toys, weapons, tools. Ideal for any collection intended to feed and stimulate curiosity about the physical universe. Graced by a great annotated bibliography. We've come away a little weird. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.


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Weird?- a passion for magnetism? Then Livingston (materials science, MIT) is very weird. He details this force's use & impact in cultures as diverse as Einstein & James Bond. Splendid, compelling popular science of medicine, toys, weapons, tools. Ideal for any collection intended to feed and stimulate curiosity about the physical universe. Graced by a great annotated bibliography. We've come away a little weird. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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