The New World of Mr Tompkins: George Gamow's Classic Mr Tompkins in Paperback

George Gamow brought his original material up to date for "Mr Tompkins in Paperback" shortly before his death in 1968. However, since then Physics has moved on still further, and a new update was appropriate. Russell Stannard took on the challenge, and has done a superb job.

The new version brings both the science and the charming human back story fully up to date, and also addresses some inconsistencies in the earlier text and illustrations caused by their derivation from a group of separate magazine articles.

The books tackles all the main areas of modern Physics, from relativity to particle physics. Each topic is presented by both a serious (but straightforward) lecture text, and also by analogies in a dream experienced by one off the main characters. The two reinforce one another, and should leave the reader with a good basic understanding of all the key concepts. Familiarity with basic arithmetic and elementary concepts of classical physics are the only prerequisites, but the text should also be enjoyable for those with greater background knowledge.

I am very glad to see this classic developed for a new generation, and thoroughly recommend it.


Excellent, but just a new edition of the first Mr Tompkins   November 24, 2001
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I bought this book thinking that it was different from the previous Mr Tompkins book, where in fact it is nothing more than a new edition. Still a great book, but surely a bit of a rip-off. Why didn't they just call it a new edition?


The easiest way to understand Physics   January 26, 2001
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

From the outset this book tries to portray the often complex world of Physics in a easy to understand way. Many books have attempted this but have failed, this is truly one of the best Physics books I have read for my age group. This book was one of the major contributing factor in me passing PHO2. This is one of the greatest rewriting of a book I have ever read. And pays much due respect to Gamov for his inventive way of teaching physics, to both physicists and the average person alike. And that is why I have given it 4 stars.


An modern update of the classic   September 17, 2000
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

George Gamow's classic introduction to a number of modern physics has been updated by Russell Stannard. Why? Well, despite it being an excellent introduction for young and old to the frankly bizarre concepts and affects of relativity and quantum physics, the original text was becoming somewhat dated. Telling a young girl to 'run along' as physics did not concern her, or talking about a 'tiger shoot' in todays modern climate, could distract the more sensitive away from the ideals of the book. What Stannard has done is modernise the text and analogies, provide more consistent stories and explanations, added some recent developments in modern physics, and updated the illustrations, all with the approval of Gamow's family. The result is a more accessable book that is still fun and thought-provoking. Buy it for yourself or your kids!