The Story of Light

The story of light affects us every day of our lives... In highly visual, entertaining and easy-to-understand language, famed science writer Ben Bova explains the many ways light affects our minds, bodies and universe.--Why do people kiss with their eyes closed?--What exactly is quantum physics?--Why is it difficult to swat a mosquito?--Is the universe expanding or contracting?--How do lasers work?--What do we "see" when we dream? In this all-encompassing work, one of the most noted science fiction as well as nonfiction writers of our time explores the subject of light and shows how it has shaped every aspect of our existence. From the creation of life to the exploration of the heavens and the stars, from the origins of the earth to the possibility of life on distant planets, Ben Bova unveils the beauty and science behind this phenomenon. Dr. Bova masterfully explains how light affects us every day of our lives, from our religions to our sex drives, as well as how we use light in art, science, industry, entertainment, cosmetics, jewelry and much more. "The enlightenment of discoveries and the brilliance of Ben Bova combine to enable our minds to glimpse the majesty of the infinite worlds of light in the universe."--Buzz Aldrin "Superbly written--a banquet of topics served by a master literary chef!"--Bill Pogue, Skylab astronaut "The Story of Light is a light-hearted, enlightened romp through many facets of human experience, reflected and refracted through Bova's bright, polychromatic mind."--David Grinspoon, Principal Scientist, Southwest Research Institute and author of Venus Revealed