Gunnar Backstrom eBooks
Gunnar Backstrom received his PhD in physics at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, where he also served for a few years as a tenured lecturer. Later he was nominated professor and head of the Physics Department at the University of Umea. During his first few years as an academic teacher he became engaged as the editor of a series of 8 textbooks for Swedish universities. He has since authored a number of books in physics and related computational techniques. In particular, he became fascinated by the amazing power of numerical software, which made mathematics a vital tool in science and engineering.
Interview with Gunnar Backstrom
What do you predict will be the next major breakthrough in physics?
Probably an explanation for the enormous amount of black energy that seems to exist in the universe.
Had you always wanted to be a writer?
Subconsciously, perhaps. Some preparations I have done in my earlier life seem to suggest such an eventuality.
What book were you forced to read at school that no child should have to study?
I think the Bible is too horrible reading for innocent children.
What advice would you give to students going into mathematics and/or physics?
I should encourage them to engage in research and innovation in fields that are of immediate interest for humans.
Tell us one thing about yourself you wouldn’t want us to know.
I am a physicist by profession, and I love my chosen subject. Still, I think it is unfair to make ordinary people pay for elementary particle research, Big Bang, and explorations of distant stars, all at astronomical costs. The results have no bearing at all on daily life.
If your books aren't specifically recommended by a professor, how can students still get the best use out of them?
My physics and computing books are planned to make the student think on his own, while making numerical calculations.
Do you think it is likely that humans will invent time travel or warp-speed space travel?
No, time travel and warp-speed travel are useful for fiction, but mankind will never be able to use such devices.
What do you think of eBooks? Do you support digital publishing?
Yes, definitely. There is enough paper around in this world. Sending books from the US to the billions in the Far East doubles the price and makes the customer wait for a week. Color illustra¬tions are included in eBooks without extra cost. Ebooks may also be downloaded to an iPad or similar reader.
Learn more at www.gbpublishing.se/e-books.htm
