Here is the most practical, complete, and easy-to-use guide available for understanding physics and the physical world. Even if you don't consider yourself a "science" person, this book helps make learning key concepts a pleasure, not a chore. Whether you need help in a course, want to review the basics for an exam, or simply have always been curious about such physical phenomena as energy, sound, electricity, light, and color, you've come to the right place! This fully up-to-date edition of Basic Physics:

• Has been tested, rewritten, and retested to ensure that you can teach yourself all about physics
• Requires no math—mathematical treatments and applications are included in optional sections so that you can choose either a mathematical or nonmathematical approach
• Lets you work at your own pace with a helpful question-and-answer format
• Lists objectives for each chapter—you can skip ahead or find extra help if you need it
• Reinforces what you learn with end-of-chapter self-tests

Might I also recommend, 'Physics Made Simple'. A great book as well.


A Good Start   March 11, 2002
D. Yee
44 out of 44 found this review helpful

This book is a great place to start for anyone wanting to learn the basics of Newtonian physics. I decided to read this book in preparation for my high school's Physics AP class that I'll be taking next year. Comparing this book to an outline of the course, I found that the book covers more topics than the class, but in less detail. Like I said, it's great for the basics, but that's about it. The approach is rather non-mathematical, but very clear and easy to understand. Kuhn has done a great job of making basic physics understandable. This book, in conjunction with a study text, such as Schaum's Beginning Physics I or a textbook, would be an ideal way to learn physics on your own.


Pretty Good   September 19, 2002
R. J Szasz (Tokyo, Japan Japan)
74 out of 79 found this review helpful

Should bring you up to Grade 12 level in Physics or serve as a good primer for those middle age lovers of science whose occupations never test our knowledge of physics, but nonetheless who feel the need for a physics "fix" later in life.

This book is so good that I never have to ask my wife (an Engineer) for help. In that sense it is good for family relations as well.


I liked it, it is what the title says, although a bit skinny   July 21, 2005
Filip (Canada)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

I liked the book. It's very simple, quite organised. I belive it has about 23 chapters. Starts with velocity, speed, gravity, weight, then goes to more advanced areas for example waves, particles, etc. Sometimes it gives the background of a discovery. Newton liked to make people sad, I think I remember. It has the regular Einstein is the greatest mind of all times. I think it tries to explain the E=MC2 that everybody knows and few understand it.

It's pretty simple. Stripped out of all formulas but the most useful ones. I really liked the beginning of the book, dealing with gravity. For example, there is no such thing as Zero gravity. The cosmonauts are acutally in microgravity because they fall with the ship, and the ship falls continously in a straight line towards earth, but as it falls it spirals around the earth because of gravity, which makes it miss the target and be kept orbiting around the earth. There is not one place in space where there is no gravity.

What I like about this book is the way it teaches the reader. It continously asks questions. Why this, why that, and you have to figure it out yourself. Although it does give brief introductory substance, but what you have the job to expand it. Luckily, all the answers are right beneath wihch is very annoying. Somtimes I see the answer before, and now the question is useless. I had to cover the answers before reading the questions.

But I belive there is an equal amount of literature and formulas. You won't learn math from this book, but the general idea. I gave it 5 starts because it is what the title says: self-teaching, and basic.


Simply amazing....   December 11, 2002
K. Selva (T.O.)
27 out of 30 found this review helpful

I do not recommend this as a textbook in any sort of way. You won't learn much detail from this book. BUTTTTT I strongly suggest u take a week or two to read through it (a chapter at a time).... before u start ur more intense study using your normal textbook. This book will give u the basic THEORY behind physics. This will come in handy once u start using weird formulas and whatnot during your course. So read it first. It's an easy read, so don't fear that it might take too long.