Book Review: Physics for Rock Stars

First the disclaimer.  I’m a physicist’s daughter.  And, I have two brothers and two nephews who are engineers.  So, it was with at least a bit of skepticism that I cracked the cover of Portland author Christine McKinley’s new book, “Physics for Rock Stars: Making the Laws of the Universe Work for You.”
As I read the introduction and the first chapters, the book initially seemed clever verging toward a little too cute.  Reading on, I was gradually seduced by the lively and extraordinarily clear writing.   The principles of physics have never been applied in quite this way – such as calculating whether or not your bathing suit will come off when cliff diving in Jamaica.  
McKinley’s characterizations of the personalities of the various chemicals in the periodic table actually had me laughing out loud.  For example, hydrogen and other first column elements are “somewhat (ahem) indiscriminate about bonding.  They just want to be loved.  They are vulnerable and easily unhinged, the Blanche Duboises of the atomic world.”
One of my favorite parts of each chapter is when McKinley draws parallels between physical laws as they illuminate choices in human behavior.  In the chapter on force, she talks about weight, lift, drag, and thrust not only on apples and airplanes, but also as a way to think about your own life.  These episodes of thoughtful ruminations are brief and light.  
While this would be an especially good book for teen and twenty-something girls, I recommend “Physics for Rock Stars” for anyone who enjoys the humorous and eclectic, particularly if you enjoy pop culture references.  While it’s actually an excellent review of high school physics, it’s way more fun to read than that sounds.