The Book of Black: Black Holes, Black Death, Black Forest Cake and Other Dark Sides of Life

From the Black Hole of Calcutta and the Dark Side of the Moon to Black Bart, Black Beauty, and Black Sabbath, this unique journey into darkness sheds light on the worlds of science, history, art, and philosophy. Bestselling author Clifford A. Pickover takes us on an unusual and historic journey through curious, amusing, and important topics related to "black." Beware: this wondrous panoply of subjects, stunning images, and entertaining and informative text can shift from sexy to cosmic with just the turn of a page!With entries short enough to read in just a few minutes--but pithy enough for endless pondering--The Book of Black features 100 captivating black-and-white and full-color images. The book roams far and wide through politics, popular culture, science, sociology, history, sports, religion, and superstition. A reference section offers suggestions for further explorations of Black Pudding, Black Velvet Paintings, Blackbeard, "Black Magic Woman," and other dark matters.Dover (2013) original publication. See every Dover book in print atwww.doverpublications.com[back flap]The author of more than forty books that have been translated into over a dozen languages, Clifford A. Pickover has explored topics ranging from science and mathematics to religion, art, and history. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University and has been awarded more than 100 U.S. patents. His research has received considerable attention from media outlets ranging from WIRED to The New York Times, and his website, www.pickover.com, has received millions of visits.[optional back flap quotes]Praise for Clifford A. Pickover"A perpetual idea machine, Clifford Pickover is one of the most creative, original thinkers in the world today."--Journal of Recreational Mathematics"I can't imagine anybody whose mind won't be stretched by [Pickover's] books."--Arthur C. Clarke