Cover may vary - this is a stock image

Fire, Ice, and Physics – The Science of Game of Thrones(The MIT Press)

by Rebecca C. Thompson

Format: Hardback

Condition: Standard Secondhand — £1.11

Standard Secondhand — £1.11

What do the conditions mean?

Our conditions mean the following:

New - a brand new book
Almost New - appears new but is actually secondhand.
Very Good - only minor imperfections such as minor scuffs to edge or cover or a price written in pencil or shop sticker.
Standard Secondhand - Clearly been read before, but not too bad. We do not recommend these for gifting. Spines usually creased. Could also include creases or folds to cover, some writing such as in the cover or elsewhere, underlining or highlighting, but might not do. Possibly some stains or marks. Similar in general to books in any secondhand shop or charity shop.
Poor Condition - Usually this will have a specific problem such as writing inside, water damage, missing dust jacket, heavy staining, large creases or cuts. These are readable copies but not nice ones. On other websites this condition is called 'Acceptable' or 'Fair' , but we want to be more honest.

£1.11

Sale Sold out

Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Low stock: 1 left

Exploring 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.

Game of Thrones 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 Game of Thrones, might think, “But how would it work?” In Fire, Ice, and Physics, Rebecca Thompson turns a scientist's eye on Game of Thrones, 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 Game of Thrones 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.

Similar booksMore Science →

A Level Advancing Physics for OCR B: Year 1 and AS

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.

Even the most faithful Game of Thrones fans will learn new and interesting things about the show from Thompson's entertaining and engaging account. Fire, Ice, and Physics is an essential companion for all future bingeing.

Genre: Science, Physics
Format: Hardback
Published: 2019
Pages: 296
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 9780262043076

Payment method

Condition Descriptions

Our conditions mean the following:

New - a brand new book
Almost New - appears new but is actually secondhand.
Very Good - only minor imperfections such as minor scuffs to edge or cover or a price written in pencil or shop sticker.
Standard Secondhand - Clearly been read before, but not too bad. We do not recommend these for gifting. Spines usually creased. Could also include creases or folds to cover, some writing such as in the cover or elsewhere, underlining or highlighting, but might not do. Possibly some stains or marks. Similar in general to books in any secondhand shop or charity shop.
Poor Condition - Usually this will have a specific problem such as writing inside, water damage, missing dust jacket, heavy staining, large creases or cuts. These are readable copies but not nice ones. On other websites this condition is called 'Acceptable' or 'Fair' , but we want to be more honest.

Shipping and Delivery

Free UK shipping over £10.
Under £10, shipping is £1.99.
Express shipping £2.99.
Choose 10 £1 books for £10 including shipping!
International shipping available to select countries, proceed to checkout to see prices.