“...Lewin is a perfectionist; he has a manic obsession with detail. He is not just the world-renowned professor of physics; he pioneered the field of X-ray astronomy and for two decades built, controlled, and observed subatomic and astronomical phenomena with ultra-sensitive instruments, specially designed to observe X-rays with exceptional accuracy. By launching enormous and extremely sensitive research balloons into the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere, he began to reveal an exotic world filled with astronomical phenomena, such as X-ray flares. The discoveries, both his own and those of his collaborators, demystified the death of stars during colossal supernova explosions and confirmed the existence of black holes.

“You changed my life,” is the common title in the emails Lewin receives daily from every corner of the planet. Steve, a florist in San Diego, wrote: “I now have wings on my feet and see life through the eyes of physics.” Mohamed, a student at a preparatory engineering school in Tunisia, wrote: “Unfortunately, in my country, teachers cannot see any beauty in physics, and I suffer from this. They only want us to learn how to solve some standard physics exercises to pass the exams. They cannot see beyond this narrow horizon.” Seyyed, an Iranian who has earned graduate degrees from American universities, writes: “I never truly enjoyed life until I attended your classes. Professor, you have truly changed my life. The way you teach physics is worth ten times the tuition, and it makes some other teachers look like criminals. It is a GRIEVOUS CRIME to teach poorly.”

Sidharth, from India, wrote: “I was able to feel physics beyond its equations. Your students will always remember you as I do: as an exceptional teacher who made life and learning more interesting than I ever thought they could be.” Mohamed, thrilled by the last class on classical mechanics, wrote approvingly that he was impressed by the phrase: “You might always remember from my lessons that physics is exciting and beautiful and that it is all around you, every moment, only if you have learned to discover it and appreciate its beauty.”

Marjorie, another admirer, wrote: “I attend your classes as often as I can —often five times a week. I am excited by your personality, your sense of humor, and, above all, your ability to simplify things. I hated physics in high school, but you made me love it.” Lewin receives dozens of such emails every week and responds to all.

Since he first stepped onto the lectern to teach more than half a century ago, Lewin has “taken his students on a journey to the moon.” Constantly ecstatic about the beauty and mystery of the physical world —from rainbows to neutron stars, from the femur of a mouse to musical sounds— and captivated by the scientist's and artist's endeavor to explain, interpret, and represent this world, Walter Lewin is one of the most passionate, dedicated, and capable scientific guides of our times. In this book, you will experience Lewin's passion, dedication, and ability as he reveals his boundless love for physics and shares it with you. Enjoy the journey!”

— Warren Goldstein, from the Introduction to the book

They wrote about the book:

• “A fun, accessible, and lovable book. [...] Lewin, the superhero of the classroom, shares with us the joy of our world being understandable.” ―James Kakalios, University of Minnesota

• “Read the book of an eccentric intellectual guru, a passionate physicist, a brilliant teacher...” ―Bill Gates, Microsoft

• “Lewin's fierce passion for physics illuminates every page of this book —an exciting journey through science. […] The thrill of discovery that permeates the book sweeps you away…”. ―Mario Livio, Hubble Space Telescope Institute

• “If you didn’t have a physics teacher as lively and unstoppable as Lewin, then read his book —a boundless source of delight and enjoyment.” ― Natural History

• “Lewin is perhaps the only physics professor in the world who celebrates the beauty of Maxwell's equations by handing out flowers to his enthusiastic students after class. As hundreds of thousands of students who have had the fortune of attending his lectures either in person or online each year confirm, this shaman of the classroom transforms equations into magic. […]”. ― Booklist

• “After thirty years of teaching undergraduates at MIT, Lewin, in his effort to unveil the hidden wonders of our world, has created a foundation of understandable and engaging explanations for teachers and students alike. [...] Rich, playful, yet serious, each chapter is a joyous sketch on some topic in physics —from Newton's laws to Lewin's pioneering discoveries in X-ray astronomy. [...] Lewin teaches lessons in creativity to students and teachers alike. [...]”. — Science News