(1) Heat and other Forces (2) An Elementary Course in Practical Science (3) Horbare, Sichtbare, Elektrische und Rontgen-Strahlen (4) An Elementary Text-book of Physics

Abstract

(1) COLONEL BADGLEY'S book is an extra-ordinary production. The contents might be guessed from the title, which implies that heat is a force. The author has evidently read a great deal of current scientific work, to which he frequently refers, but has not the exact knowledge necessary for writing on the subject. Indeed, he suggests that the differences between work, energy, power, force, and motion are only mythical, and that the terms are really interchangeable. Typical, also, is the statement that “the heat given off by the spontaneous decomposition of radium is, perhaps, about a degree and a half centigrade.” The preface is very cynical. It is questioned whether men of science believe in one another's discoveries, and hinted that few of the latter are worthy of acceptance. The main object of the book is said to be to try to prove that “heat is not a vibration of material, not even of aether,” but we search in vain for a clear alternative definition. It is a difficult book to follow because of the entire lack of order. The whole is an intricate mixture of simple experimental facts, quotations from books on many subjects, some of which are very remotely connected with heat, and a large amount of astounding new theory. Most of the ordinary phenomena in heat are dealt with, and a chapter in defence of the British systems of measurement is included. We can neither recommend the book to beginners for it would confuse them—nor to those conversant with the subject—for it would waste their time.

(1) Heat and other Forces.

By Colonel W. F. Badgley. Part i.: "Heat"; part ii.: "Physical Forces". Pp. 221 + vi. (London: King, Sell and Olding, Ltd., 1907.) Price 5s. net.

(2) An Elementary Course in Practical Science.

By C. Foxcraft T. Samuel. Part i. Pp. 48. Part ii. Pp. 58. (London: G. Philip and Son, Ltd., n.d.) Price 6d. net each.

(3) Horbare, Sichtbare, Elektrische und Rontgen-Strahlen.

By Dr. Friedrich Neesen. Pp. 132. (Leipzig: Quelle and Meyer, 1909.) Price 1.25 marks.

(4) An Elementary Text-book of Physics.

By Dr. R. W. Stewart. Part ii.: "Sound", pp. iii + 141. Part iii.: "Light", pp. vii + 219. (London: C. Griffin and Co., Ltd., 1909.) Price, part ii., 2s. 6d. net; part iii., 3s. 6d. net.