Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field

How Two Men Revolutionized Physics

By: Nancy Forbes, Basil Mahon

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Two of the boldest and most creative scientists of all time were Michael Faraday (1791-1867) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879). This is the story of how these two men - separated in age by 40 years - discovered the existence of the electromagnetic field and devised a radically new theory which overturned the strictly mechanical view of the world that had prevailed since Newton's time.

The authors, veteran science writers with special expertise in physics and engineering, have created a lively narrative that interweaves rich biographical detail from each man's life with clear explanations of their scientific accomplishments. Faraday was an autodidact, who overcame class prejudice and a lack of mathematical training to become renowned for his acute powers of experimental observation, technological skills, and prodigious scientific imagination. James Clerk Maxwell was highly regarded as one of the most brilliant mathematical physicists of the age. He made an enormous number of advances in his own right. But when he translated Faraday's ideas into mathematical language, thus creating field theory, this unified framework of electricity, magnetism and light became the basis for much of later, 20th-century physics.

©2014 Nancy Forbes and Basil Mahon (P)2021 Tantor

Outstanding

Thorough but without excess. Scientific and yet very human. An outstanding biography of electromagnetism and two of its foremost discoverers.

Excellent historical treatment science in action.

Without a doubt the most important period in the development of our species. Faraday and Maxwell open the world of scientific thought which allowed the freedom of those who followed to suggest things like relativity and quantum mechanics and the hope to expect for more.

Amazing story of two minds.

One should consider that , like Darwin, Faraday and Maxwell lived over a century ago.

Great book read wonderfully

A great story about to giants and wonderfully read. not sure what else to say.

Excellent science history.

Excellent description of how scientific knowledge is advanced over generations of research. I highly recommend it.