The world of physics: a small library of the literature of physics from antiquity to the present

Thirty-one years ago Simon & Schuster published James R. Newman's excellent The World of Mathematics. The present anthology on physics is much along the same lines. Most of the pages are devoted to excerpts from over 100 of the most important writers on physics topics. Each item is preceded by editorial commentary. The selections avoid extensive use of mathematics; they are accessible to nonspecialists but are by no means "easy reading." The editorial comments are generally helpful, although errors and omissions are occasionally conspicuous. The first half of volume 1 is perhaps overweighted with the ideas of ancient and medieval thinkers, not all of whom were closely tied to the development of physical science. Nevertheless, the set as a whole provides an enjoyable and comprehensive look at physics.