Discovery

NEWTON PLUS by Alister Riddell; Longman, 1997; 460 pp; $49.95

Reviewed by Keith Machin

This is a Physics text book for Year 12. The book gives a very detailed, complete coverage of the Level 7 Physics Curriculum. The author suggests that there is too much material for most students to cover in one year and that teachers should select the sections needed. The book is well written with very good diagrams. There are a large number of examples in each chapter; I particularly liked the detailed answer section.

The cover is eye-catching and attractive, and draws the reader to open the book. My only criticisms of the book are the photographs and the general layout. In my view, the photographs are often too small and are not always needed. I personally did not like the blue highlighted sections and found this to be distracting. That said, Newton Plus is the best text book to be produced for Year 12 at the present time and fills an important gap.

Keith Machin is a Physics Teacher at Rangi Ruru Girls' School in Christchurch