title: Quarks, Leptons and The Big Bang, Second Edition
author:  Jonathan Allday 
description: I am delighted to see this new edition and I will continue to recommend this book to those who seek an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to particle and astroparticle physics. My congratulations to Jonathan Allday on preserving the character of the first edition in the new version.<BR> - Dr. R.J.A. Lambourne, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK<br /><br />The author has obviously spent much time cogitating on these themes. He writes very clearly and in a commendable explanatory style. Assuming the reader has a basic knowledge of physics, he explains the essentials of the standard model of particle physics, relativity theory, and quantum theory, before turning to the evidence of the big bang theory in cosmology, the geometry of space, the evidence for dark matter, and the inflationary universe theory. He concludes with some sensible philosophical thoughts and some useful appendices  it is highly recommended.<BR> - George Ellis, MNASSA, vol. 61, nos. 7 and 8<br /><br />It is well laid out and has easily comprehendible diagrams so the inquisitive eye can help the inquisitive mind  Overall I found this book very interesting  The introduction of new theories and ideas I hadn't come across before compelled me to read further and my curiosity found me reading it over and over until the light bulb went on and I had a better understanding. Even though it will be a challenge for some, I definitely recommend reading this book.<BR> - Amanda Ryan, Astronomy & Space, February 2003<br /><br />The book seems to me to be remarkably successful. The reader is led through all the ideas in an orderly way. Allday is thoughtful about the needs of the student, and careful to anticipate possible difficulties and misconceptions. His style is lively. There are plenty of nice clear line drawings and interesting black and white illustrations  I believe it will give pleasure to many people, and they will learn a lot from it. It should be widely used.<BR> - Professor J.C. Taylor, Contemporary Physics, 2003, vol. 44, no. 1<br /><br />A complete overview of what is necessary to understand particle physics, including some information about relativity and quantum physics, is provided in this book  Each of the 15 chapters includes bulleted summary of the important points and notes. Numerous line drawings and black and white photographs illustrate the text  Whilst not a reference book, this is highly recommended for academic libraries and is also suitable for public libraries with a clientele interested in learning about physics.<BR> - Donna Cromer, University of Mexico Centennial Science and Engineering Library
zlib_text: Quarks, Leptons and
  the Big Bang
  Second Edition
  
  Quarks, Leptons and
  the Big Bang
  Second Edition
  Jonathan Allday
  The King’s School, Canterbury
  Institute of Physics Publishing
  Bristol and Philadelphia
  
  c⃝ IOP Publishing Ltd 2002
  All rights reserved.
  No part of this publication may be reproduced,
  stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means,
  electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
  the prior permission of the publisher. Multiple copying is permitted in
  accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing
  Agency under the terms of its agreement with the Committee of Vice-
  Chancellors and Principals.
  British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
  ISBN 0 7503 0806 0
  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data are available
  First edition printed 1998
  First edition reprinted with minor corrections 1999
  Commissioning Editor: James Revill
  Pro