The Spinning Magnet: The Electromagnetic Force that Created the Modern World - and Could Destroy It

Alanna Mitchell really did a great job with this. As a science guy, I honestly knew little about magnets or electricity and she educated me big time. More important is the reality of earth as a spinning magnet as such that its currents (i.e. Van Allen Belts) are the difference between all the life on our planet and the desertion of places like Mars and the moon.There are some frightening but necessary speculations on what will happen when the poles inevitably reverse and/or the sun emits a major solar flare. I will be thinking about these for the rest of my life even if we are fortunate enough to never have to deal with them.Lots of history lessons, lots of chemistry (my first love), and quite a bit of astronomy (my second science love). There were small parts I skimmed through but most of it I read every word, especially the second half of the book.Science buffs like myself will love this book.

This is a remarkable book, unique in many ways. Tracing the history of magnetic discovery, we are led from the early disoveries of geological memory - a story largely untold - to the realisation that our planet, as a gigantic magnet, has experienced multiple magnetic pole reversals, and significant disturbances in force fields. The text is wide in scope, from embracing Faraday to the controversies surrounding continental drift. Lucidly written using expert input, it's obvious the author has travelled extensively in researching this book. We are left in the end wondering when the next decay and reversal of the earth's magnetic poles could occur, and the dramatic implications this has for our future. Highly recommended reading.

Great history lesson, easy to read, and the depth of uncertainty, given the enormous variability of the strength and direction of the field, was ultimately comforting. It'll probably be fine for a long long time.

Just started reading, after seeing a recommendation online. First few chapters I was unsure about where the author was going. But she gets in her stride, very interesting read and well done! I think its very interesting the way she gets her information rather than just lecturing on 'facts' she pursues the truth by traveling all over the world to find experts and get their insight to prover her point. She did her homework and especially liked learning of the history of magnetism.

This book includes a fascinating narrative of the personalities involved in developing the science of geomagnetism.There is also an interesting tour of locations where geomagnetism was researched and interviews with contemporary researchers. I was expecting a book full of illustrations of geomagnetic fields and instruments. I expected to see lots graphs and numerical data. I found no data, no illustrations no graphs. If you want a broad overview of the history of places and people researching into geomagnetism, this a a book for you.

The subject was explored in depth, from both historic and scientific angles. Complex topics were well explained in terms that were very accessible. The first-person view of travels, locations, and interviews with experts made for an easy and enjoyable read. And, a little scary to imagine what this world will go through when the poles switch.

READABLE SCIENCE in an engaging format. Answered so many questions I had on the topic - and some I didn't know I had. Highly recommended to the curious epicurean mind! Fascinating and fun without being frivolous. Plus, the hard copy has cool fonts (not sure if paperback does). Well done, Alanna Mitchell!

I loved this book! I have written my own novel (fiction) about this topic, and I relied heavily on material from this book. It was a fabulous resource!

I bought the book to read about hand magnets etc but this covered very advanced understanding of magnetic fields and the planet. I found it a good read but some well above my understanding.

I believe that even if a person young or old with hardly any interest in science were to begin reading this book their interest in the world in general would be honed since all is connected.The way all is presented is intriguing introducing men of Science over a period where history is made each and every time something is invented and how it influenced others to take it even further and allow us presently to exist. The importance of Mathematics from it's simplest form to that of all disciplines is portrayed as a catalyst allowing two or more ideas to interact with a outcome that proves or disproves. In the end generating even more ideas

Very easy to read and entertaining for such as serious topic.

Makes you aware that what you might think is permanent isn't nescessarily so.

I have no scientific training but my curiosity was aroused by news reports that the magnetic north is moving further from true north. The book kept my interest when reviewing the amazing progress made in understanding the electromagnetic fields that arise from deep within our planet, protecting us from harmful solar radiation. Based on global scientific data and many studies it lays clear the challenges facing humanity and all life on the planet we call home. A fascinating read.