Maxwell's Demon: Why Warmth Disperses and Time Passes

What's the most depressing law of physics? Why, the second law of thermodynamics, of course! In a nutshell: entropy (or disorder) is always increasing, leading to the inevitable "heat death of the universe." Quite a dismal prospect, but even the most optimistic don't expect to be around when it all ends, long after our sun burns out. In Maxwell's Demon: Why Warmth Disperses and Time Passes, physics professor Hans Christian von Baeyer tells the story of the discovery and development of the second law of thermodynamics. The book is named for James Clerk Maxwell's little imaginary genius, who could make your latte boil out of your travel mug given a chance. Von Baeyer treats us to a wide-ranging survey of the early days of thermodynamics, the demon's multiple deaths and rebirths, and an explanation of why entropy's not such a bad thing after all.

Von Baeyer has a terrific knack for knowing what's interesting about his topic and sharing that interest through examples, quotations, and personal stories. Whether you're reading about the exploits of Count Rumford, who established that heat is not a substance, or the author's daughters, who perform hundreds of coin flips to satisfy themselves about the statistical nature of reality, you'll pick up the author's enthusiasm for science and thermodynamics. The broad scope, covering over 700 years in just over 200 pages, serves its subject well, as the law took a long time to reach its present form. If you're looking for a fascinating scientific history, or just an excuse for a messy room, Maxwell's Demon is the right choice. --Rob Lightner