Superconductors: The mystery goes on

The Rise of the Superconductors by Peter Ford and George Saunders provides an introduction to high-temperature superconductivity for readers with little or no background in modern physics. About half of the book is filled with a lively but accurate description of the historical and scientific background to the subject, going back to the dawn of low-temperature physics in the 18th century. Seasoned physicists are advised to skip some of the anecdotes about the architects of the field, which have been recounted numerous times elsewhere in much the same way. (U.K.)