The New Elizabethans

by James Naughtie

This book presents fundamental physics principles in a clear, concise manner. The Sixth Edition adds a focus on biomedical applications of physical principles, while continuing to emphasize conceptual understanding as the basis for mastering a variety of problem-solving tools. Provides a wide range of relevant applications and illustrative examples to help students understand concepts and relate physics principles to everyday life. Topics include mechanics, thermodynamics, oscillations and wave motion, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. For anyone hoping to learn more about the fundamentals of physics and applying principles to a variety of real-world situations, devices, and topics.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Darla Ebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of famed and famous Brits from various segments of their society: actors, musicians, scientists, etc. Some of the chapters were interesting, some affected me not at all because I had no memory or experience of the person of whom the author is referring.

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting selection from the Radio Four veteran A few I have never heard of, which is standard for this type of book. It's a bit like putting Jade Goody in the DNB, a nice gesture but not really as good as taking black working class women seriously. Here we have dear olde Goldie, a sub editor's suggestion if ever there was one. A good party game might be: can you add another 10 for her last decade. Even if this had appeared a couple of years later Jimmy Saville would have been in. And if anyone summed up the last decade it would be Nigel Farage...

[Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for those who were unable to hear the original broadcast of The New Elizabethans, listeners to the Today programme (at least until his departure last week) will have no problem when reading this book in hearing the lilting tones of Jim Naughtie behind the words. This is an extremely well put-together book and given the impossibility of the task of choosing sixty notable figures from the past sixty years, pulls off a very impressive trick. It also taught me a fair amount about people, of whom I am embarrassed to say, I knew nothing of.

The sixty chosen cover most of the areas of political, sporting and cultural life of the United Kingdom over the past sixty years, and they appear to have been chosen because of their ability to spin a patchwork quilt in which most of British life is somehow captured. Even those who are not given a specific chapter, are name checked elsewhere and significant British events and movements are woven in the mini-biographies of the subjects.

Of course there are going to be omissions as well as unusual entries. This is a Radio 4 list and so popular culture is possibly a little unrepresented, as is sport. Basil D'Oliveira makes an appearance more for the impact of his exclusion of the South African tour than for his skills as a cricketer. There is no Sir Alf Ramsay, whom I thought might have warranted inclusion. And there is no-one from the world of athletics, which is surely a great omission. Sebastian Coe should be in for his running and for his co-ordinating of the superb 2012 Olympics. And the lack of any religious figure seems a little odd, though I confess that no-one springs to mind. But dinner party games aside, this is an excellent book which has given me a far better perspective on the life of United Kingdom these past sixty years.

[Akin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this is - more or less - identical to the R4 series of 2012, it doesn't work so well. Perhaps it is because one can unpick the arguments much more readily in print. THe immediacy of radio was more compelling.

The selection is what it is, and there is no point in dwelling on who was put in and who was left out. (Having said that: Goldie. I mean, come on. Goldie?) A few portraits are weak, a couple unconvincing. There are quite a few gems there, and one must give Naughtie credit for the even handed tenor across the board, especially given the limited timeframe to put the series together.

All that said, I'd recommend the audio (still available on the R4 website) over the book.