The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics

By Gary Zukav

Book Overview

"The most exciting intellectual adventure I've been on since reading Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."--Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times Gary Zukav's timeless,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688084028
• ISBN13: 9780688084028
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Morrow
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.1" x 1.1" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

How to mislead one with semantics

Gary Zukav states in his introduction "I had never studied physics. In fact, I didn't like science and I had no mathematical aptitude. On Oprah (TV), he admitted that he does not have a TV, which may explain his lack of contemporary physics, let alone any depth. I noticed that some reviewers refer to "New Physics." Is that like "New Age" or voodoo physics? 90% of the matter must be missing from this book. Or else how can he take physics out of context and make such fantastic leaps to religious parallels that he knows little of? He even twists the religion around to serve some unknown purpose. Many people say they did not understand physics until this book; Surprise, you still do not. You now know what Zukav wished physics were. Take anti-matter, for instance, that does not mean the opposite of matter. And the relationship between particles does not correlate with the relationship between dogs and cats. At least get it straight before mixing it up. Try reading some of these: "The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski". The book is available everywhere the DVD's available from the UK and the US. "The Upanishads" by Eknath Easwaran (Editor), Michael N. Nagler (Photographer) Or just about any mainstream material on physics and religion. Then, if you still want to mix worlds into one, read someone saner: "The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism" by Fritjof Capra. Also, on the fringe but not as radical as Zukav is a series called "What the Bleep." (Both in books and on video)

Excellent Introduction to the New Physics

This is one of the most accessible and most fascinating introductions to the new physics that I have ever read. I took a class in Thermodynamics and Modern Physics last summer at a local university and I did not learn a tenth as much as I did from this book. Granted I learned more mathematical details from the class, but this book taught me why what I was learning and doing made sense, which at least for me is far more important. I feel if I went back and took that class over again it would be extremely easy now.The other wonderful aspect of this book is its constant ties to Eastern Philosophy. This is something that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in recent years in the sciences. The whole world is becoming more and more interdisciplinary and this book is a fine example of what cross-fertilization can do to inspire new ideas and concepts.I would highly reccomend this book for any one interested in science even if they are not interested in physics per se. This book provides and excellent analysis of how scientific ideas and conceptions change and incorporate new ideas and new experience. This book is also very relevant from the aspects of philosophy, history, and sociology of science as well since it delves into all three of these aspects at times. Overall an extremely enjoyable and accessible read.