Reviews for Fundamentals of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information: An Introduction

The average rating for Fundamentals of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information: An Introduction based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-02-09 00:00:00 Kostas Jhjhjhjhjh This was a thorough if uninspiring look at the role played by mirrors in the human imagination, especially as it relates to optics and astronomy. Pendergrast takes the reader through a quick overview of the roles played by mirrors in ancient cultures, especially regarding their use in ceremonies and other spiritual endeavors. Once he arrives at the Renaissance his focus settles finally on the evolving field of optics and follows its obsession with perfecting mirrors, glasses and lenses as scientific equipment and the role they played in any and all discoveries regarding light, space and everything in between. While the book is certainly informative, Pendergrast's writing seems a list of people, dates and discoveries that quickly become a drone. While I have no qualms with facts and figures I am always disappointed when the author believes their job to be that of a mere compiler instead of trying to weave these facts into a cohesive narrative with the goal of explaining something or someone.

Review # 2 was written on 2021-01-14 00:00:00 Joel Armstrong What a slog! And where was the mirror as a mirror? It seems as if the author skimmed a few books to get some information about mirrors in history, summarized his findings in a sentence or two, then rubbed his hands in glee when he could finally settle in on Telescopes. If you like to read about grinding glass and focal points and parabolas then you might like this book; if your interest in the history of mirrors and its influence on life and people and perceptions, then you need to find another book that more closely follows the jacket summary (which actually devoted more text to the human impact of mirrors than did the book itself). A livelier writing style might have rescued the text a little but it's hard to get away from the fact that "Mirror Mirror" is mistitled and misleading and, for me anyway, a miserable read.