"A lovely, fascinating book, which brings science to life." -- Alan Lightman

Combining science, history, and adventure, Tom Shachtman "holds the reader's attention with the skill of a novelist" as he chronicles the story of humans' four-centuries-long quest to master the secrets of cold (Scientific American).

"A disarming portrait of an exquisite, ferocious, world-ending extreme," Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold demonstrates how temperature science produced astonishing scientific insights and applications that have revolutionized civilization (Kirkus Reviews). It also illustrates how scientific advancement, fueled by fortuitous discoveries and the efforts of determined individuals, has allowed people to adapt to -- and change -- the environments in which they live and work, shaping man's very understanding of, and relationship, with the world.

This "truly wonderful book" was adapted into an acclaimed documentary underwritten by the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, directed by British Emmy Award winner David Dugan, and aired on the BBC and PBS's Nova in 2008 (Library Journal).

"An absorbing account to chill out with." -- Booklist

• We started tracking this book on January 2, 2018.
• This book was $1.99 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 156 times in the past 2,672 days.
• The current price of this book is $11.99 last checked 52 minutes ago.
• This lowest price this book has been offered at in the past year is $2.99.
• The lowest price to date was $0.99 last reached on March 25, 2022.
• This book has been $0.99 one time since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $17.99 last reached on April 26, 2025.
• This book has been $17.99 one time since we started tracking it.

• Science & MathPhysicsDynamicsThermodynamics

• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
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• Print Length: 274 Pages
• File Size: 48 KB