The Physics of Christmas: From the Aerodynamics of Reindeer to the Thermodynamics of Turkey - Hardcover

Roger Highfield

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0316366110 ISBN 13: 9780316366113

Publisher: Little, Brown & Co (T), 1998

Synopsis

Surveying a range of scientific fields' answers to Christmas puzzlers, the author argues that, among other things, Rudolph's red nose stems from a parasitical infection, the star of Bethlehem may have been the conjunction of planets, and Santa relies on a superconducting quantum interference device to interpret the magnetic brainwaves of bad and good children. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

About this title

Review:

Roger Highfield loves science, and he loves Christmas, too. Combining the two in The Physics of Christmas is his attempt to refute the notion that "the materialist insights of science destroy our capacity to wonder, leaving the world a more boring and predictable place." To that end, Highfield presents an amusing, eclectic, and trivia-filled collection of scientific observations about one of the Western world's most beloved holidays.

Contrary to the title, Highfield doesn't limit himself to physics. His anthropological observations include tracing the origins of Santa Claus--an especially amusing and enlightening chapter entitled "Santa: The Hallucinogenic Connection" examines the possibilities of the psychoactive mushroom Amanita muscaria's red-and-white cap being the inspiration for Santa's robes. In a tip of the stocking cap to biology, Highfield hints at a parasitic infestation that may be responsible for poor Rudolph's red nose and examines the advantages of cloned Christmas trees. Psychologically speaking, we find an analysis of the emotional weight of gift giving and card exchanging (sever all relationships with those who send musical cards, research suggests), and how a holiday can be both religious and commercial. Even post-holiday depression is deconstructed, along with Santa's unhealthy obesity and apparent immortality, the effects of alcohol on sleep patterns, the astronomical origins of the Bethlehem star, and the ins and outs of snow.

You'll never look at the trappings of Christmas the same way after reading Highfield's seriously funny book. And you may accidentally learn something, too. --Therese Littleton

From the Back Cover:

CAN REINDEER FLY?

WHY IS SANTA CLAUS FAT?

COULD SCIENTISTS CLONE THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE?

WAS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM REALLY A COMET?

WHY IS RUDOLPH'S NOSE RED?

HOW DOES SANTA MANAGE TO DELIVER PRESENTS TO AN ESTIMATED 842 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS IN A SINGLE NIGHT?

WHAT COULD WE DO TO GUARANTEE A WHITE CHRISTMAS EVERY YEAR?

These are among the questions explored in an irresistibly witty book that illuminates the cherished rituals, legends, and icons of Christmas from a unique and fascinating perspective: science.

About this edition

• Publisher: Little, Brown & Co (T)
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0316366110
• ISBN 13: 9780316366113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 293