{"product_id":"fire-ice-and-physics-the-science-of-game-of-thrones-paperback","title":"Fire, Ice, and Physics: The Science of Game of Thrones - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRebecca C. Thompson\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eSean Carroll\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExploring the science in George R. R. Martin's fantastical world, from the physics of an ice wall to the genetics of the Targaryens and Lannisters\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e is a fantasy that features a lot of made-up science--fabricated climatology (when is winter coming?), astronomy, metallurgy, chemistry, and biology. Most fans of George R. R. Martin's fantastical world accept it all as part of the magic. A trained scientist, watching the fake science in \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e, might think, \"But how would it work?\" In \u003ci\u003eFire, Ice, and Physics\u003c\/i\u003e, Rebecca Thompson turns a scientist's eye on \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e, exploring, among other things, the science of an ice wall, the genetics of the Targaryen and Lannister families, and the biology of beheading. Thompson, a PhD in physics and an enthusiastic \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e fan, uses the fantasy science of the show as a gateway to some interesting real science, introducing GOT fandom to a new dimension of appreciation. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Thompson starts at the beginning, with winter, explaining seasons and the very elliptical orbit of the Earth that might cause winter to come (or not come). She tells us that ice can behave like ketchup, compares regular steel to Valyrian steel, explains that dragons are \"bats, but with fire,\" and considers Targaryen inbreeding. Finally she offers scientific explanations of the various types of fatal justice meted out, including beheading, hanging, poisoning (reporting that the effects of \"the Strangler,\" administered to Joffrey at the Purple Wedding, resemble the effects of strychnine), skull crushing, and burning at the stake. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEven the most faithful \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e fans will learn new and interesting things about the show from Thompson's entertaining and engaging account. \u003ci\u003eFire, Ice, and Physics\u003c\/i\u003e is an essential companion for all future bingeing.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRebecca C. Thompson, PhD, is a physicist and author of the popular Spectra series of comic books about physics. She is Head of the Office of Education and Public Outreach at Fermilab\u003cb\u003e, \u003c\/b\u003ethe particle physics research facility near Chicago. She served as Director of Public Engagement for the American Physical Society from 2008 to 2019. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSean Carroll is a theoretical physicist at Caltech and the author of popular science books, including \u003ci\u003eThe Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itsel\u003c\/i\u003ef.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 296\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.7 x 8.7 x 5.6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 10, 2020\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51768854806816,"sku":"9780262539616","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/93e884910a628333a294ddaa2e427b84.webp?v=1780338907","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/fire-ice-and-physics-the-science-of-game-of-thrones-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}