The Science of Doctor Who
by Paul Parsons
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Book Summary Information
Author: Paul ParsonsEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2010-05-05
ISBN: 080189560X
Number of pages: 328
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press
Book Reviews of The Science of Doctor Who
Book Review: A fun look at the real science behind the science fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I have only seen a couple of episodes of Dr. Who, but I found this book very enjoyable. The author doesn't make knowledge of the show critical, because he describes the people, situations, and gadgets being used on the show prior to any further discussion of the science related to them. And I should mention that the author doesn't just talk about the science of the show. He looks at the known science and then the potential for what happens in the show to someday actually happen. This is what made the book enjoyable to me. For example, there are a variety of weapons on the show like lasers, nuclear grenades, and sonic blasters. The author would describe the weapon's use in the show, and then he would tell us about the science encompassing the weapon. Then through discussions with others, he would tell us if there is current technology that is close the that on the show, if there is the potential for the development of the technology on the show, or if it was pure science fiction. It was really interesting to hear about how there is the potential for so many of the sci fi gadgets on the show to actually one day become a reality. And it was also interesting to hear about the things that just can't happen and why. And the variety of science covered was a plus. There was talk about various areas of physics, biology, anatomy, chemistry, etc. They covered time travel, high speed travel, long range space travel, various weapons, various ways to destroy things like stars and planets, the idea of sustaining life on other planets, how certain aliens like cyborgs could live and function. He managed to cover so much in such a little while, that I came away with an interest in seeing the show and also with some conversation worthy knowledge about a lot of science related to sci fi. I feel like I could sit down with Dr. Who fans, Star Trek fans, or Star Wars fans and share in the fun of discussing the science around any of the shows. I highly recommend the book.
Summary of The Science of Doctor Who
Almost fifty years after he first crossed the small screen, Doctor Who remains a science fiction touchstone. His exploits are thrilling, his world is mind-boggling, and that time travel machine?known as the Tardis?is almost certainly an old-fashioned blue police box, once commonly found in London.
Paul Parsons's plain-English account of the real science behind the fantastic universe portrayed in the Doctor Who television series provides answers to such burning questions as whether a sonic screwdriver is any use for putting up a shelf, how Cybermen make little Cybermen, where the toilets are in the Tardis, and much more.
Taking the show as a starting point?episode-by-episode in some cases?Parsons dissects its scientific concepts. In addition to explaining why time travel is possible and just how that blue police box works, Parsons
? discusses who the Time Lords are and how we may one day be able to regenerate just like them? ponders the ways that the doctor's two hearts might work and introduces us to a terrestrial animal with five? details the alien populations and cosmology of the Whovian Universe and relates them to what we currently know about our universe? compares the robotics of the show with startlingly similar real-world applications
This slender, equation-free discussion is penned by a Ph.D. cosmologist and is ideal beach reading for anyone who loves science and watches the show?no matter which planet the beach is on.
(2010)Television Books
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