Bubble chamber tracks were always a mystery to me ... until I discovered "The Particle Explosion". This book is wonderful because ... The edited & colorized bubble chamber photographs engender a new, visceral, level of understanding of elementary particles. With so many books and articles on theoretical and abstract aspects of quantum mechaniscs, this book reveals the, oft neglected, world of experimental particle physicists and their immense accomplishments. It is a wonderful example of expository writing, where complex mechanisms are clearly described without resorting to diagrams.

The reason I got into physics in the first place was the combined allure of subatomic strangeness and huge machines at the edge of technology and cleverness. This book distills those attractions in beautiful descriptions and stunning photography. If I ever needed reaffirmation in my choice to become a particle physicist, this book would surely do the trick.

After several hours curled up with "Under the Microscope" at my local library, I ran back to amazon.com to order my own copy. How sorry I was to discover that this beautiful volume is currently out of print.

Filled with gorgeous color and black and white photographs, "Under the Microscope" (originally titled "Microcosmos") is a visual tour de force revealing microscopic wonders from the plant, animal, and mineral kingdoms. Images include those produced with conventional light, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopes, and also special optical arrangments such as phase contrast, polarized, and Nomarski (Differential Interference Contrast) illumination.

Each illustration is thoroughly annotated with excellent, brief descriptions of the biological or phyhsical phenomenon shown, as well as the technique used to produce the image. There is also a highly readable section at the end about the history and technology of microscopy in all its varied forms.

A total treat!