The Manga Guide to Physics
Book Review

By Dale Farris, Reviews Coordinator Golden Triangle PC Club June 2009 General Overview Megumi is an all-star athlete, but she's a failure when it comes to physics class. And she can't concentrate on her tennis matches when she's worried about the questions she missed on the big test! Luckily for her, she befriends Ryota, a patient physics geek who uses real-world examples to help her understand classical mechanics-and improve her tennis game in the process! In The Manga Guide to Physics, you'll follow alongside Megumi as she learns about the physics of everyday objects like roller skates, slingshots, braking cars, and tennis serves. In no time, you'll master tough concepts like momentum and impulse, parabolic motion, and the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. You'll also learn how to: Apply Newton's three laws of motion to real-life problems Determine how objects will move after a collision Draw vector diagrams and simplify complex problems using trigonometry Calculate how an object's kinetic energy changes as its potential energy increases If you're mystified by the basics of physics or you just need a refresher, The Manga Guide to Physics will get you up to speed in a lively, quirky, and practical way Note: This EduManga book is a translation of a bestselling series in Japan, co-published with Ohmsha, Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan. "The Manga Guides prove that readers can grasp difficult scientific and mathematical topics with just a little helping of comics, narrative, and metaphor," says No Starch Press Founder Bill Pollock. "By easing the stress of learning with an interesting story, The Manga Guide to Physics ensures that readers stick with it—they care about Megumi's struggles in both physics and in tennis. The illustrated approach makes certain that readers immediately understand Ryota's examples and literally see how physics works." Co-published with scientific and technical publisher Ohmsha, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan, The Manga Guide to Physics makes learning about physics fun. Studying physics will never be the same again! Table of Contents The book's four (4) chapters include the following: 1: Law of Action and Reaction 2: Force and Motion 3: Momentum 4: Energy The included Appendix includes handy reference information on the classical units of measures. Author Hideo Nitta, Keita Takatsu, and TREND-PRO Co., Ltd About the Author Hideo Nitta, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Physics at Tokyo Gakugei University. He has had many papers and books published by Japanese and overseas publishers on subjects including quantum dynamics and radiation physics. He also has a strong interest in physics education. He is a member of the International Commission on Physics Education (ICPE), which is a commission of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). Trend-Pro, Co, Ltd Trend-Pro, Co, Ltd performed the task of transforming the manuscript into the comic format of the book. Date May 2009 ISBN ISBN-10 1-59327-196-4 ISBN-13 978-1-59327-196-1 Price $19.95 Features 248 pages; preface; extensive Japanese comic illustrations; figures; tables; exercises; appendix; index   Targeted Customers This book is an excellent introductory book on classical, or Newtonian physics. This is the kind of physics typically learned in preparatory schools, including many high schools and some college level introduction to physics classes. As is the case in all the super Manga guide books, this one also incorporates the heavy use of Japanese Anime cartoons to help convey the solid concepts behind the physics. The main character in the book is a young Japanese high school student who finds physics rather difficult - A not uncommon happenstance for many American students. The author attempts to reach these typical young students with this approach that blends the mostly solid physics with pragmatic examples that relate the physics to everyday activities. The intended readers are those who are needing help with physics, either in their formal educational ventures, or even those just curious about physics. This book is geared more toward the home or retail market, and the book targets those with a special interest in physics. While a complete novice to physics can learn a lot from reading the book, the successful retention of physics will of course come from repetition and from the consistent work with the physics formulas that help instill learning. This book does an excellent job of introducing readers to the fundamental theories and concepts of physics, and thus serves as a valuable additional reference that will help any physics student who may feel a bit overwhelmed by physics. The book cannot of course completely replace the formalized instruction and tutor guidance and assistance that usually accompanies structured physics classes. The Japanese style manga comics are all displayed in a basic, black-and-white design, which helps to keep down the cost of the book while also heightening this manga style of drawing. Note also that since this book is written by a Japanese author, the context of the comic characters that form the basis of the story of the book is decidedly Japanese. This means the frequent references to Japanese items, concepts, objects, or institutions may take some getting used to by Western readers unfamiliar with Japanese culture. However, the material is well organized around the fundamental, basic concepts you would expect to find in a book that serves as an introduction to physics. The author succeeds in presenting a clear, easy-to-understand guide to physics, and this approach would also well serve students interested in taking physics classes. The book will help form a more solid foundation of the principles of physics, helping readers form a solid basis of understanding of the classical physics. Book Updates Visit www.nostarch.com/mg_physics.htm for access to the files used in the exercises covered in the book. About the Manga Guide Series The Manga Guides explain essential scientific and technical subjects using Japanese-style comics. Each guide is written by a scientist or mathematician with expertise in the field and illustrated by a professional manga artist and scenario writer, ensuring the authenticity and accuracy readers demand. Already bestsellers in their native Japanese, these unique books have been translated into English with the assistance and oversight of technical experts. The first four titles in the series, The Manga Guide to Statistics (9781593271893, November 2008), Databases (9781593271909, January 2009), Electricity (9781593271978, March 2009), and Physics, will be followed by Calculus (9781593271947, June 2009), and Molecular Biology (9781593272029, July 2009). About No Starch Press San Francisco based No Starch Press, Inc., publisher of such best-selling titles as "Steal This Computer Book 3," "The Book of JavaScript," and "The Linux Cookbook," is an independent publishing company committed to producing readable, information-packed computer books that make a difference. No Starch focuses on Open Source, Web development, computer security, programming tools, and alternative operating systems. No Starch authors are highly regarded experts who have the rare ability to write about complex topics clearly and concisely. As a result, No Starch books share a no-nonsense manner that both educates and entertains. The Linux Journal Press series offers readers books on cutting-edge Open Source topics that make a difference, in an effort to advance the acceptance and usability of Linux. Recent titles include "The Book of Zope," "Programming Linux Games," and "The Linux Cookbook." Linux Journal Press titles are developed in partnership with Linux Journal. The No Starch international distribution network brings their books to all major English-language and critical non-English language markets. Their U.S. distributor, Publishers Group West (PGW), is the largest U.S. distributor for independent book publishers. PGW sells to all major wholesalers (Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Bookazine, Koen, etc.), national chains and independents, online booksellers, and academic and technical bookstores. No Starch also aggressively pursues sales in non-traditional channels, including corporate and premium sales, bulk sales, and book clubs. The No Starch international distributors (including JGA in Canada, Computer Bookshops in the UK, Woodslane in Australia/New Zealand) reach all major English and non-English markets with large technical populations. They also maintain extensive contacts with international publishers who translate their books and bring them to their markets in their local language. William Pollock, founder and publisher of No Starch Press, Inc. (and co-founder of APress) has over fifteen years of book publishing experience. No Starch Press benefits from his experience in professional reference, scientific, college, and trade publishing. Mr. Pollock has worked his way up through the publishing ranks from editorial assistant, to sales representative, to acquisitions editor, to publisher. He knows the book publishing business from the ground up. Contact Travis Peterson Sales & Marketing Assistant No Starch Press 555 De Haro St., Suite 250 San Francisco, California 94107 800-420-7240 415-863-9900, Ext. 300 FAX 415-863-9950 travis@nostarch.com www.nostarch.com