If you're like me, you just like to know. This book explains the famous equation in a very understandable manner and gives such awesome background into s huge array of areas. It begins by explaining the history of each of the components of the equation which takes the reader into the lives of different scientists who were involved in determining the nature of mass or the speed of light for example. You'll learn about Einstein's role and then how the equation takes on a life of its own as Rutherford learns how to split the atom and later the race to build an atomic bomb impacts WWII. I enjoy learning of women who contribute. Emilee du Chatelet, a female scientist heavily influenced and involved;) with Voltaire plays a large role in establishing why velocity must be squared. While it's a science book, it's not a bore like you've read in any of your science classes. I found myself caught up in the lives of all the people who knowing,y or unknowingly will forever be connected to the equation.

Rich with information. Worth a read.

Despite what one might think seeing the title, the book was very interesting as it traced the discoveries behing the famous equation.

I am usually a fiction reader, but this "biography" of the equation E=MC2 was wonderful and I completely recommend it!

Bodanis first breaks down the equation into each of its parts and talks about the history of energy, mass, etc. He re-creates the discoveries that slowly added up to Einstein's theory. The book was well written, but the actually history is actually fascinating as well. My favorite parts of the book are the fact that there were quite a few women profiled and the story of the Norwegian Resistance during WWII.

One thing that I had to keep reminding myself while reading, was the fact that the book is about the equation, so people's stories and the history of certain discoveries are only discussed in so far as they connect with the equation. But there is a huge reference list at the end of the book in order to do additional reading on any of the topics or people mentions.