Yakov Perelman

Posted on August 17, 2011 by damitr

“to whet thirst for knowledge, to evoke the desire for further reading”.

Chances are that  one of the first book that actually interested you in mathematics and physics was that of the incredibly talented writer Yakov Perelman. There are numerous books by Perelman which have been published and translated in numerous languages. In India I have seen his works in Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada (thanks to Shashi for pointing this out. Still in print! check the comment by Shahsi) and Gujarati at least, (there may be many more of which I am not aware of). If you know of any other translations in Indian languages please let us know. The books also exist in a lot of other European languages.

The wikipedia page referred to above, lists the books by Perelman as below. Each one is a gem.

You can get the book here

here and here

 

In this the Physics for Entertainment, has been published as a two volume series, especially in the regional languages of India. Many of the books were published under different titles, as publishers, long after Perelman was gone, continued to print the books. This led to different editions of the books, with different graphics supporting them over the years.

The following foreword by the editor of the Physics Can Be Fun that I have describes it more aptly:

Perelman’s Physics for Entertainment owes its wide popularity to the rare talent of its author who was able to single out and present in an entertaining form ordinary facts and phenomena that have a deep physical meaning.

The aim of the book is not so much to give you some fresh  knowledge, as to help you “learn what you already know”. In other words, the idea is to brush up and enliven your basic knowledge of physics, and to teach you how to apply it in various ways. To achieve this purpose, conundrums, brain-teasers, entertaining anecdotes and stories, amusing experiments, paradoxes and unexpected comparisons – all dealing with physics and based on everyday experience and science fiction are included. The author quotes extensively from Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Mark Twain and other writers, because besides providing entertainment, the fantastic experiments these writers describe may well serve as instructive illustrations at physics classes.

On the other hand, you will find very little in the way of parlor tricks or spectacular experiments. The book seeks to stimulate you thinking along scientific lines and to amass associations with a variety of things from everyday life. This English language edition is a translation from the 21st Russian edition of Physics for Entertainment, Book 1 and Book 2. Chapters from 11th to 20th are Book 2. Although the two halves of the book are essential independent and can be read in any sequence, the last ten chapters are, by and large, meant for the more advanced reader.

Perelman once noted that Physics for Entertainment has been written not to leave an inquisitive mind satisfied. On the contrary, its task is “to whet thirst for knowledge, to evoke the desire for further reading”.

 

I will be soon adding some more wonderful covers of the books and the art contained within those books.

I will reproduce here what one of the editors of Physics Can Be Fun wrote about Perelman in the opening pages of the book:

 In 1913 in Russian bookshops appeared a book by the outstanding educationalist Yakov Isidorovich Perelman entitled Physics for Entertainment. It stuck the fancy of the young who found in it the answers to many of the questions that interested them.

Physics for Entertainment not only had an interesting layout, it was also immensely interactive.

In the preface of the 11th edition Perelman wrote: “The main objective of Physics for Entertainment is to arouse the activity of scientific imagination, to teach the reader to think in the spirit of the science of physics and to create in his mind a wide variety of associations of physical knowledge with the widely differing facts of life, with all that he normally comes in contact with.”

Physics for Entertainment was a best seller.
Y. I. Perelman was born in 1882 in the town of Byelostok (now in Poland). In 1909 he obtained a diploma of forester from the St. Petersburg Forestery Institute. After the success of Physics for Entertainment Perelman set out to produce other books, in which he showed himself to be an imaginative popularizer of science. Especially popular were Arithmetics for Entertainment, Mechanics for Entertainment, Geometry for Entertainment, Astronomy for Entertainment, Figures for Fun, Physics Everywhere, and Tricks and Amusements. Today these books are known to every educated person in the Soviet Union.

He has also written several books on interplanetary travel (Interplanetary Journeys, On A Rocket to Stars, World Expanses,
etc.). The great scientist K. E. Tsiolkovsky thought highly of talent and the creative genius of Perelman. He wrote of him in the preface to Interplanetary Journeys: “The author has long been known by his popular, witty and quite scientific works on physics, astronomy, and mathematics, which are moreover written in a marvellous language and are very readable.”

Perelman has also authored a number of textbooks and articles in Soviet popular science magazines.

In addition to his educational, scientific and literary activities,
he has also devoted much tie to editing. So he was the editor of
the magazines Nature and People and In The Workshop of Nature.

Perelman died on March 16 1942, in Leningrad.

Many generations of readers have enjoyed Perelman’s fascinating
books, and they will undoubtedly be of interest for generations to
come.

Posted in mir books, mir publishers, soviet | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Purchased mirtitles.org

Posted on July 19, 2011 by damitr

After some deliberation I have purchased domain for this blog:

http://mirtitles.org

The old link at https://mirtitles.wordpress.com will redirect to the new domain.

Thanks for all the inputs and encouragements from all people who have visited this blog.

 

 

 

 

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Popular Science Books – 1

Posted on June 9, 2011 by damitr

In this post I am highlighting some of the books in the popular science series published by Mir. The time of publication is from late 60s to early 70s. The books are in varied subjects and disciplines and the reason that I am posting them together is that their covers are in the same design style. A black band at top of the cover, with the authors name in white font. The title of the book is at the bottom with a colored band as the foreground. The color of the lower band depended on the overall design of the cover and the colors used there.

Title Author Year Pages
1 Sounds and signs A. Kondratov 1969 286
2 Planet of riddles E. Novikov 1972 255
3 The quiet sun N. V. Pushkov, B. I. Silkin 1968 242
4 The moon and man M. Rebrov, G. Khozin 1967 117
5 The code of life A. Shvarts 1966 267
6 How Reliable is the brain? E. Asratyan, B. Belitsky, P. Simonov 1966 179
7 The mystery of the earth’s mantle A. Malakhov 1966 246
8 Cybernetics within us Y. Saparina 1966 313
9 In the search for beauty, V. Smilga. 1970 343
Posted in books, mir books, soviet, Uncategorized, used books | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Problem books in Physics

Posted on June 7, 2011 by damitr

Mir also published a number of Problem Books in Physics and Mathematics. In this post we will looking at problem books in Physics. The most famous of these in India is the one by Irodov. Problems in General Physics is an indepensible book for those who are trying to get through to touch exams. So popular is the book that many Solutions to the book have been publised, which discuss the problems when they are solved.

The typical format the books have two sections:

1. Questions and problems

2. Solutions to Problems

Sometimes the solutions are discussed, as how to arrive at them and what is the significance, but for simpler problems [simple according to the authors] only the numerical values are given.  Here is a list of the problem books that I know of [was helped by a friend in compiling this list]

S. P. Myasnikov, T. N. Osanova

Title Authors Year Pages
1 Problems in General Physics V. S. Wolkenstein, G. Leib, A. Troitsky 1975 349
2 Problems in Physics V. G. Zubov, V. P. Shalnov 1974 290
3 Problems in elementaty physics I.P. Gurskii. 1987 510
4 Problems in Physics A.A. Pinsky 1980 333
5 Problems in School Physics I.V. Savelyev 1984 302
6 Collected problems in physics S. Kozel, E. Rashda, S. Slavatinskii 1986 181
7 General Methods of Solving Physics Problems B.S. Belikov 1984 285
8 Problems in Theoretical Physics L. G. Grechko et al. 1977 447
9 Problems in Physics N.I. Goldfarb 1990 378
11 Physics problems for the technician R.A. Gladkova, L.S. Zhdanov. 1982 404
12 Selected questions and problems in physics R. Gladkova and N. Kutylovskaya 1989 357
13 Problems in General Physics I.E. Irodov 1981 386
14 A collection of questions and problems in Physics L.A. Sena. 1988 335
15 Questions and Problems in School Physics L V Tarasov; A N Tarasova 1987 238
16 Problems in Elementary Physics B. Bukhovtsev … [et al.] 1973 438
17 Problems in Atomic and Nuclear Physics I.E. Irodov 1983 283
18 A collection of problems on the equations of mathematical physics V. S. Vladimirov (Ed.) 1986 284
A Collection of Problems on The Equations of Mathematical Physics A.V. Bitsadze, D.F. Kalinichenko 1980 332
21 Key problems of physics and astrophysics

(Though not a problem book in the sense of this post, discusses lot of research problems which were unsolved, worthy of being researched)

 V.L. Ginzburg 1978 167
22 Physical problems for Robinsons V. Lange 1976 134
23 Selected problems on physics S. P. Myasnikov, T. N. Osanova 1990 476
24 Problems of Crystal Physics with Solutions N. V.Perelomova, M. M. Tagieva. 1983 336
25 Collection of Problems on the Dynamics of a Point in a Central Force Field Ye. N. Polyakhova 1974 145
27 Collection of Problems in Theoretical Mechanics V. Meshchersky 1968 307
28 Problems In Mathematical Physics With Solutions I. V. Misyurkeyev 1966 168
29 Problems in Undergraduate Physics V. L. Ginzburg, L. M. Levin, M. S. Rabinovich and D. V. Sivukhin, E. S. Chetverikova,  S. P Streklov, I. A. El’stin and S. E. Khaikin,  I. A. Yakovlev 1965 Volume 1 – 208

Volume 2 – 220

Volume 3 – 296

Volume 4 – 260
30 Problems On The Equations Of Mathematical Physics M. M. Smirnov 1967 108
31 Problems in Physics P. L. Kapitza 19
32 Aptitude Test Problems in Physics S. Krotov (Ed.) contributing authors A. I. Buzdin, V. A. Il’lin, I. V. Krivchenkov, N. A. Sveshnokov 1990 310
Collection Of Problems In Classical Mechanics G. L. Kotkin; V. G. Serbo 1971 288
A Collection Of Problems On Mathematical Physics B. M. Budak; A. A. Samarskii; A. N. Tikhonov 1964 733
Problems In Electrodynamics V.V. Batygin; I.N. Toptygin 1964 513
Problems In Quantum Mechanics I.I. Gol’dman, V.D. Krivchenkov, V.I. Kogan, V.M. Galitskii and edited by D. Ter Haar 1975 489
Posted in books, mir books, mir publishers, soviet, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 45 Comments

Physics For Everyone

Posted on June 3, 2011 by damitr

The great Lev Landau along with Alexander I. Kitaigorodsky published a volume on popular physics titled Physics for Everyone. This one volume was later expanded into 4 volumes by Kitaigorodosky.

Title Author Year Pages
Physics for Everyone: Motion, Heat L. D. Landau, A. I. Kitaigorodsky 1978 478
Physics for Everyone – Book 1 – Physical Bodies L. D. Landau, A. I. Kitaigorodsky 1980 248
Physics for Everyone – Book 2 – Molecules L. D. Landau, A. I. Kitaigorodsky 1980 244
Physics for Everyone – Book 3 – Electrons A. I. Kitaigorodsky 1981 248
Physics for Everyone – Book 4 – Photon and Nuclei A. I. Kitaigorodsky 1981 235

Update: All the books in the Physics for Everyone series are now up:

Physics for Everyone – Motion and Heat. (All credits to the original uploader)

Book 1- Physical Bodies.

Book 2  – Molecules.

Book 3 – Electrons.

Book 4 – Photons and Nuclei.

 

Posted in books, mir books, soviet, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 41 Comments

Little Mathematics Library

Posted on June 2, 2011 by damitr

Just like the Science for Everyone series, Mir Publishers also ran a series in mathematics called the Little Mathematics Library. Here are some of the books from that series. Please add the books that are not listed here and are not known to me [there will be a lot for sure]
Some the titles are gems in mathematics and mathematical thinking, for example Induction in Geometry and Proof in Geometry are really well developed. The books though are small in size (typical size below 100 pages) are packed with a mathematical punch. Though small in size the contents are not diluted, as it happens in many small mathematics books. The books are quite rigorous in treating the material at hand.

Title Author Year Pages
Pascal’s triangle Vladimir A Uspenski 1973 86
Method of successive approximations N. Ya. Vilenkin 1979 109
The fundamental theorem of arithmetic L. A. Kaluzhnin 1979 35
The kinematic method in geometrical problems Yu. I. Lyubich, L. A. Shor 1980 55
Calculus of rational functions G.E. Shilov 1976 50
Complex numbers and conformal mappings A.I. Markushevich 1982 62
Geometrical constructions with compasses only A. Kostovskii 1986 77
Proof in geometry A I Fetisov 1982 64
Algebraic equations of arbitrary degrees A.G. Kurosh 1977 35
Gödel’s incompleteness theorem Vladimir A Uspenski 1987 102
The Euler Characteristic Yu A Shashkin 1989
Elements of Game Theory Ye Venttsel 1980
Method of coordinates A S Smogorzhevsky 1984 47
Plotting graphs G.E. Shilov, S Sosinsky 1978 29
Systems of linear equations L.A. Skorniakov. 1988 64
Differentiation explained V.G. Boltyansky 1977 62
Recursion sequences A I Markushevich 1975 48
Solving equations in integers A.O. Gelfond 1978 56
Shortest lines: variational problems L.A. Lyusternik 1973 103
Fascinating fractions N.M. Beskin 1986 86
An unusual algebra I.M. Yaglom 1978 127
The methods of mathematical induction. I S Sominsky 1975 63
Inequalities P P Korovkin. Sergei Vrubel 1986 71
Stereographic projection B. A. Rosenfeld; N. D. Sergeeva 1986 50
The Monte Carlo method I.M. Sobol. 1975 72
Dividing a segment in a given ratio N.M. Beskin. 1975
Lobachevskian geometry A S Smogorzhevsky 1982 69
Systems of linear inequalities A. S. Solodobnikov 1979 122
Induction in geometry L. I. Golovina and I. M. Yaglom 1979 132
Post’s machine V.A. Uspensky 1983 88
Areas and logarithms A.I. Markushevich 1981 69
Remarkable curves A.I. Markushevich 1980 47
Posted in books, little mathematics library, mir books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Science for Everyone

Posted on September 6, 2010 by damitr

Science for Everyone is a long running series from Mir Publishers. Most of the titles that I have collected are from used book shops.

Some of the titles are by others and some from library and some of the titles I have only seen on the internet.

Some of the titles that I have are as follows:

Title Author Year Pages
Traces of Bygone Biospheres A. V. Lapo 1987 352
Physics and Geometry of Disorder: Percolation Theory A. L. Efros 1986 259
Differential Equations in Applications V. V. Amel’kinn 1990 279
How We See What We See V. Demidov 1986 238
Aptitude Test Problems in Physics S. S. Krotov [Ed.] 1990 310
This Fascinating Astronomy V. N. Komarov 1985 303
Storming The Fortress of Fusion G. S. Voronov 1988 335
Electrons and Crystals Th. Wolkenstein 1985 174
Me or Not Me R. V. Petrov 1987 372
Elementary Kinematics of Elementary Particles G. I. Kopylov 1983 270
Flying Trains G. Zelkin 1986 151
Yes, No or Maybe Ya. I Khurgin 1985 219
Temperature Ya. A. Smorodisnky 1984 263
Physics In Your Kitchen Lab I. K. Kikoin (Ed.) 1985 189
Physical Paradoxes and Sophisms V. N. Lange 1987 232
Semiconductors Made Simple A. M. Polyakov 1985 240
Luminescence in Public Health N. N Barashkov 1988 146
Problems in Plane Geometry I. F. Sharygin 1986 408
Problems in Solid Geometry I. F. Sharygin 1986 247
In The World of Binary Stars V. N. Lipunov 1989 324
Discussions on Refraction of Light L. V. Tarasov, A. N. Tarasova 1984 239
Silhouettes of Chemistry D. N. Trifonov, L. G. Vlasov 1987 296
Ethology What animals do and why Igorʹ Akimushkin 1988 294
Encounters with physicists and physics. I.K. Kikoin. 1989 198
The Greatest speed S.R. Filonovich 1986 285
The progeny of volcanoes P.N. Erofeev 1986 327
Puppets without strings V.I. Varshavsky, D.A. Pospelov 1988 294
Mystery of minerology B.I. Srebrodolsky 1989 239
Learning about chemistry G. B. Shul’pin. 1989 230
The grand biological clock V.M. Dilman 1989 424
The nature of magnetism M.I. Kaganov, V.M. Tsukernik 1985 283
Origin and development of life on earth G.V. Voitkevich 1988 232
Modern geology N.A. Yasamanov 1990 280
Origin and chemical evolution of the earth G.V. Voitkevich 1988 238
Our planet–the Earth A.V. Byalko. 1984 304
Earth, sweet Earth Ekaterina Radkevich 1990 371
Satellite and typhoon : eye to eye S.N. Baibakov and A.I. Martynov 1987 254

Please add titles that you are aware of.

Updates:

1. Discussions on Refraction of Light is available here.

2. Encounters with Physicists and Physics is available here.

Posted in books, mir books, mir publishers, science for everyone, soviet, used books | 29 Comments

Books from the Soviet Era

Posted on September 5, 2010 by damitr

Mir Publications is a name known to most Indians associated with excellent books in almost all subjects of interest, but especially in science and mathematics. Many people who I know, confess that the science and mathematics that they have understood, they owe to Mir Publications. I couldn’t agree more. The fascination that these books left me with in my childhood has is unforgettable. Also associated publishers were Foreign Languages Publishing House, Raduga Publishers and Progress Publishers. When I say Mir later, what is meant is the books published by ensemble of these publishers from the Soviet era.

The first book that I remember reading is one from Progress was when I was in 4th Grade, the Title of the Book was All About Telescope and since then I am like Alice in Wonderland. Russian books, rather books English published in the Soviet Russia, have had an unforgettable impression on my life.  The joy that these books have provided to me over the years is immeasurable. Not only these books were cheap, they were also published in many Indian languages: Hindi, Marathi and Bengali and Tamil I know for sure. This provided an ideal platform and inspiration for many, who came to science. An entire generation of Indians came of age with the titles from Mir Publications. But with end of the Soviet era, the Mir saga came to an end. The Mir titles which at times were cheaply and easily available became scant. And finally ceased to be a part of the mainstream bookshops. Only places one could find them was in the used book shops, and that too became scarce as the years went by. This trend continues till date. To find a Mir title today even in a used book shop is nothing less than a MIRacle!!

I have collected many books from these publishers and they form most precious part of my collection.

Some of the classics of the Mir books are by Yakov Pereleman, Landau, Kitaigorodosky, Zeldovich, Matveev and the list goes on…

Some notable series were: Science for Every One, What is…, ABC of…, Physics for Everyone, Little Mathematics Library…

Many of the titles will be lost forever never to delight a new generation of readers. The knowledge that at least these books existed should not be lost. This blog is an project to make an comprehensive list of  the titles published by Mir and over the years. So that the knowledge about these titles goes to the larger community, so that in the future someone can take up their digitization and / or republication. I urge and request all the people who owe even a little bit to books by Mir to contribute their knowledge about these books here…

How you can contribute?

You can contribute to this project in many ways:

  1. Add the books which are not in the list.
  2. Add information whether e – copies of the books are available.
  3. Add the list of the books which were republished, and status of their availability.
  4. Locate hard copies of the books, in library or personal collections.
  5. Add information about the book like different editions and reprints, language translations, reviews, personal experiences.

I hope that this small endeavor will be worth the effort and these gem of books will delight generations of readers to come…

Posted in books, foreign languages publishing, mir books, mir publishers, progress publishers, raduga publishers, science for everyone, soviet, used books | Tagged , , , , , , , | 76 Comments