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A DICTIONARY OF INTERNATIONAL UNITS

Name: A DICTIONARY OF INTERNATIONAL UNITS
Author: Philip Bladon
ISBN: 978-0-595-37115-0

METRIC-MATTERS: NAMES AND SYMBOLS, SECOND EDITION

by Philip Bladon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 30, 2005

A highly accessible guide to the metric system.

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The full monty of the â€œLe SystÃ¨me International d’UnitÃ©s,” commonly known as SI.

Bladon accomplishes a difficult task: creating a dictionary of measurement units that both educates and enthralls. Despite one drawback–it would have been helpful to have more in-depth explanations of what various quantities mean (what, for example, â€œluminous flux” should signal to the layman)–this dictionary provides enough curiosities to entertain and inform metric-system novices and prove an indispensable, vest-pocket reference tool for professionals. The author clearly presents units, symbols and quantities with a few short comments. The tone is authoritative, and the exposition bell-clear. In addition to expected material–names translated to symbols, the use of prefixes and factors–Bladon provides intriguing notes to add interest, such as explanations of the surnames of famous scientists used for units. It’s no great stretch to imagine that a newton is named after Sir Isaac, but there is grim fascination in discovering that a gray, or an absorbed dose of radiation, came from Louis Harold Gray. In addition, Bladon includes a brief appendix of metric units that are not strictly SI units, such as hectares, litres and tonnes, but don’t expect to find an inch, foot or yard here.

A highly accessible guide to the metric system.

Pub Date: Nov. 30, 2005

ISBN: 978-0-595-37115-0

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996

ISBN: 0-15-100227-4

Page Count: 136

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.