The Physics of the Buffyverse by Jennifer Ouellette (PDF)

Description

Physics with a Buffy the Vampire Slayer pop-culture chaser In the tradition of the bestselling The Physics of Star Trek, acclaimed science writer Jennifer Ouellette explains fundamental concepts in the physical sciences through examples culled from the hit TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off, Angel. The weird and wonderful world of the Buffyverse—where the melding of magic and science is an everyday occurrence—provides a fantastical jumping-off point for looking at complex theories of biology, chemistry, and theoretical physics. From surreal vampires, demons, and interdimensional portals to energy conservation, black holes, and string theory, The Physics of the Buffyverse is serious (and palatable) science for the rest of us.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐First, the seller: Quick, competent response. The book arrived promptly; securely and protectively packaged. I’m 100% satisfied with the seller’s service.Second, the book. Oh my! Oh yes! The book is exactly what the title suggests, an intelligent, skeptical but ultimately supportive description of how the Science does, or at least could work in the Universe (capital U) of Buffy Summers’ Sunnydale and (Bonus!) Angel’s Los Angeles.Author Jennifer Oulette writes brilliantly; she presents specific situations, conditions, actions and possible paradoxes of events in the “Buffy/Angel-verses” and then provides delightfully readable, engaging and comprehensible descriptions of the physics that may support the science of the fiction. Make no mistake, Oulette is not an apologist; she does not stretch the fabric of reality (pun intended) to accommodate the scripts. But she does a great job of writing to the contradictions, where they exist. And while she does so, she commits to her audience. Oulette is (probably) a fan. She is most certainly a physicist who respects BtVS’ fans and importantly, the Mutant Enemy Production’s writing team’s efforts to provide more than a modicum of hard science to underpin their plot devices. The physics explained in “The Physics of the Buffyverse” will not satisfy every physics knowledgeable fan of the Buffy and Angel milieu, that is not the book’s intent. The ambition behind “The Physics of the Buffyverse” is to simultaneously enhance the viewing experience while introducing legitimate physics to any discourse about the shows.I’m a BtVS fan: Today, more than a decade after Buffy made the choice to save the world at the price of destroying Sunnydale, I still laugh, gasp, clap and cry when I re-watch the show. Among the many bookshelves in my home, I have two shelves dedicated to “Buff Stuff,” books and materials that are “BtVS.” Along with Rhonda Wilcox’s “Why Buffy Matters,” Jennifer Ouelette’s non-fiction thesis form the spine of my collection. These two books, without pretense or hubris, suggest that Buffy Summers, the Vampire Slayer, is one of Western Literature’s most original, authentic, evocative and provocative creations.One negative comment about “The Physics of the Buffyverse,” the cover only works if you’re holding the book. The devil is in the details (again, pun intended). The big, red, demonic face looks like pulp fiction. The tiny diagrams in and around the face…represent.

⭐My wife introduced our foster daughter to the wonders of Joss Whedon’s creation, going through our complete DVD collections of both _Buffy_ and _Angel_. Back in July of 2010 I heard Jennifer Ouellette speak at Convergence (The big Twin Cities science fiction convention), and decided it was time to read her book, _The Physics of the Buffyverse_.Behind the fantastic properties of the vampires, demons, etc., there is actually a lot of good physics in the series. From electricity and the mechanics of martial arts to the Many World Interpretation of quantum mechanics, the writers of the series drew upon wide variety of concepts in physics. Ouellette neatly disentangles the real science from the fantastic elements, maintaining a witty style quite appropriate for the subject matter. It is absolutely non-technical–no math needed.

⭐Not a “Buffy” fan but had heard about the show many times during it’s long run. I came across a review of this book and was instantly intrigued by the concept! I thought it was almost rebellious to combine the previously tedious and boring subject of physics with a television show, especially Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I find the book captivating and easy to read. I’m not plowing through it cover to cover but reading some every few days and the writer is a hoot AND I think I’m learning something at the same time. A real pleasure. Kindof makes me wish I had had a teacher as interesting when I was in school.

⭐Covers everything out there in advanced physics and explains it quite well.

⭐I have read many layman quantum physic reference books over the past 20 years, and this may be my favorite.As pointed out early on, the Buffyverse follows some consistent physics (as opposed to the magical world of Harry Potter).This allows the author to piece together many odd quantum concepts with great clarity (much comes from the spin-off show “Angel”).My understanding has made a quantum leap and my previous knowledge has gained coherence. Thank you.

⭐Fun book about a difficult subject. I especially liked the author’s explanations of how the martial arts use physics to enhance fighting abilities and the various explanations for alternate universes.

⭐Jennifer Ouellette analyzes the Buffy and Angel TV shows through the spectrum of science using several disciplines besides the obvious misleading title Physics to include zoology, and several branches of math (when did a curve become the shortest distance between two points?). Fans of the two related series will enjoy the deep insight into the biology of vampires, demons and other supernatural essences as much as the deep look into robotics. Also adding fun to the tale is the theory behind multidimensional portals such as wormholes and the energy displacement physics of a witch’s spell. Obviously targeting fans of the Buffyverse, but within that circle to an even more limited cell of those who enjoy reading the complexities of how string theory applies to the multiverse of vampire slayers. In short this reviewer enjoyed the convergence of science and Buffy, but not as much as my husband who tries to keep current on the latest theories in science and math.Harriet Klausner

⭐I have to admit to a having a bit of a thing when it comes to “Science of…” and “Physics of…” books based upon a fictional universe. Being somewhat interested in writing fiction myself, and having to always at least attempt to make the world I write and the things in it plausible, I have a great fondness and fascination for these sorts of works.On the plus side; this book is full to the bursting with science, explained quite clearly… and in reference to events occuring within the Buffyverse.On the negative side; this book is full to the bursting with science, barely connected to the events that occur within the Buffyverse… and which seem to have been added as a filler. Along with chapters on some biological aspects of the various monsters, wormholes and magical laws… there is a chapter on mass and motion “The Physics of the Fight” that seem a little too real world/mundane for a book on the Physics of the Buffyverse.I would recommend this product to people that adore “Science of…” and “Physics of…” books

⭐I was a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, both the television show, books, and the comic series – really I enjoy anything to do with the Buffyverse and this book didn’t disappoint. It broke down some of the key element actions in the television series and gave insights on how things work, and maybe would only work in the Buffyverse.A really good read.

⭐Love this book! So glad to finally own it. Excellent physics examples.

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