Cart

Meta Research Bulletin ©2007

Book Review: The Virtue of Heresy

         Author: Hilton Ratcliffe. Publisher: AuthorHouse UK Ltd (2007). Recommended for all dissident scientists and those interested in Meta Science. Here are a few reviews:

         "The Virtue of Heresy: Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer by a South African physicist, mathematician, and astronomer - Hilton Ratcliffe - will hopefully mark the beginning of the end for the irrational myths and dogmas that have plagued the physical sciences since the end of World War II. Ratcliffe's book is a bombshell for the smug community of astronomers, cosmologists, astrophysicists, particle, and theoretical physicists that have controlled research funds, publications, and access to large research facilities and telescopes since the atomic bomb ended WWII, producing illusions of self-importance among the ‘fathers of the nuclear age.’ The Virtue of Heresy demystifies science - from the far reaches of the heavens to the subatomic particles in the nucleus. This book is an inexpensive, spirited, and pleasant way to experience the excitement of astronomy, physics, chemistry, space and nuclear science without wading through all the post-WWII nonsense that has driven student interest in physical sciences to an all-time low. I give this book my highest recommendation. Thank you, Hilton, for having the courage and the literary talents to bring the scientific community the possibility of a return to sanity.” Oliver K. Manuel, Emeritus Professor of Nuclear Chemistry, University of Missouri, http://www.omatumr.com.

         "The Virtue of Heresy is nothing less than a rip-snorter. It's rather fat for a paper back - more than 400 pages - and I found I could hardly put it down once started. What makes it so enthralling is the sort of progressive narrative style with the occasional disruptive hiccup where the thread changes to something else and the author leaves you to stew for a while. All the time he guilelessly feeds you stuff that runs counter to the science we've long learned as fact. It also illustrates the extremes to which establishment figures will go in defense of the indefensible." Dr. Geoff Stapleton, physicist specializing in climate and global warming.

         “Throughout history (particularly in the religious arena) heresies have been punished by immolation, excommunication or at least banishment. Rather extreme when one considers that heresy simply means holding an ‘opinion contrary to accepted doctrine’ (OED) and comes from the Greek meaning ‘choice’. Theoretical physics and religion may have something in common in that both seem to expect one to believe that which cannot be seen. Expounding their Big Bang, String and Membrane theories using complex mathematics, physicists would appear to stop just short of volunteering: ‘Well – maybe God did it with a magic wand.’ Astrophysicist Hilton Ratcliffe takes us on a journey through the annals of physics examining these theories and how they were formulated. He proceeds to dissect them and offer alternatives in his quest for ‘Reality Physics’. He says: ‘Start with what you can see and go forward from there.’ The Virtue of Heresy is a fascinating read. The intricate discourse of the physicist is elegantly interspersed with some wonderfully descriptive passages, a few personal anecdotes and a conversation or two with the intriguing Mr Haquar. I am no rocket scientist and I found it to be very readable and intellectually stimulating.” Margie Jameson, high school teacher and amateur astronomer.

###