Hidden Attraction: The History and Mystery of Magnetism

The author, a noted astronomer, traces the history of our fascination with magnetism, from the mystery & superstition that propelled the first alchemical experiments with lodestone, through the more tangible works of Faraday, Maxwell, Hertz & other great pioneers of magnetism, to state-of-the-art theories that see magnetism as a basic force in the universe. Boasting many informative illustrations, this is an adventure of the mind, using the specific phenomenon of magnetism to show how superstition was replaced by experimentation. An uncommonly readable volume . . .the approach is exemplary. Fascinating. Well-written & exciting.