Synopses & Reviews
Reveals the hard facts behind the laughter on TVand#8217;s most popular sitcomThe highest-rated scripted show on TV, The Big Bang Theory often features Sheldon, Howard, Leonard, and Raj wisecracking about scientific principles as if Penny and the rest of us should know exactly what theyand#8217;re talking about.
The Science of TVand#8217;s The Big Bang Theory lets all of us in on the punchline by breaking down the showand#8217;s scientific conversations. From an explanation of why Sheldon would think 73 is the best number, to an experiment involving the physical stature of Wolowitz women, to an argument refuting Sheldonand#8217;s assertion that engineers are the Oompa-Loompas of science, author Dave Zobel maintains a humorous and informative approach and gives readers enough knowledge to make them welcome on Sheldonand#8217;s couch.
Review
"The author breaks down some of the series' scientific lingo and concepts, dedicating chapters to physics, math, gravity, light, computers and robotics. Maybe now you can find out why Mentos explode in Diet Coke." and#151;
LA Weekly"Zobel mines the showand#8217;s scripts for science references and then plunges readers into the nuts and bolts of everything from particle physics to potato electricity. The result is like a mash-up of a megafanand#8217;s guide to The Big Bang Theory and David Macaulayand#8217;s classic science and technology book, The Way Things Work." and#151; Science News
and#147;Beware. Reading this delightful book will allow you to understand what Sheldon Cooper is really saying. And who knows where that might lead. Bazinga!and#8221; and#151; Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday and two-time guest star on The Big Bang Theory
"As Dave Zobel has shown in his fascinating new book, television's The Big Bang Theory offers a wellspring of clever scientific references amidst its quirky dialogue. Impress the Sheldons and Amys in your life with the vast array of insights the book provides. Fun, savvy and at just the right level!" and#151; Paul Halpern, author of What's Science Ever Done for Us?: What The Simpsons Can Teach Us about Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe and Einstein's Dice and Schrand#246;dinger's Cat: How Two Great Minds Battled Quantum Randomness to Create a Unified Theory of Physics.
"Whether you're a hardcore fan or you've only seen a couple of episodes, this book will give you a glimpse of the way science geeks see the world, and why they find science so much fun. Zobel won't steer you wrong. The documentation and fact checking are impeccable." and#151; F.D. Flam, Forbes Magazine science columnist
"The Science of TV's The Big Bang Theory . . . covers an astonishing variety of material and#151; a bathroom book in the very best sense of the word. . . . Zobel is a consistently entertaining but full-bore writer, so brace yourself for a fire hose of good puns, bad puns, vividly visual metaphors, satirical asides and inside jokes." and#151; The California Tech
About the Author
In addition to his seven-year stint as a writer for public radioand#8217;s The Loh Down on Science, Dave Zobel has penned segments for the University of Texas at Austinand#8217;s StarDate, NPRand#8217;s Day to Day, and the game show Says You! A science pundit whoand#8217;s appeared on G4 and Discovery, Zobel sits on the board of Trash for Teaching, an L.A. not-for-profit that rescues manufacturersand#8217; discards and repurposes them as science and art kits for schools. Howard Wolowitz lives in Newtown, CT.