Life in Moving Fluids - (Princeton Paperbacks) 2nd Edition by Steven Vogel (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Both a landmark text and reference book, Steven Vogel's Life in Moving Fluids has also played a catalytic role in research involving the applications of fluid mechanics to biology. In this revised edition, Vogel continues to combine humor and clear explanations as he addresses biologists and general readers interested in biological fluid mechanics, offering updates on the field over the last dozen years and expanding the coverage of the biological literature. His discussion of the relationship between fluid flow and biological design now includes sections on jet propulsion, biological pumps, swimming, blood flow, and surface waves, and on acceleration reaction and Murray's law. This edition contains an extensive bibliography for readers interested in designing their own experiments.

From the Back Cover

Both a landmark text and reference book, Steven Vogel's 'Life in Moving Fluids' has also played a catalytic role in research involving the applications of fluid mechanics to biology. In this revised edition, Vogel continues to combine humor and clear explanations as he addresses biologists and general readers interested in biological fluid mechanics, offering updates on the field over the last dozen years and expanding the coverage of the biological literature.

Review Quotes

"For biologists who want to come to the beginning of a quantitative understanding of a wide variety of adaptations, for general readers who want to see how fluid mechanics works in a varied and often surprising context ... this book, full of data, rich in up-to-date and well-appraised references, is a first-class opportunity."--Philip Morrison, "Scientific American"

"This edition includes more of everything: more physical concepts, more biological examples, more sources for additional information.... Vogel finds a way to make sense of even the least intuitive concepts."--Mike May, "American Scientist"

"Vogel ... has a deep knowledge of hydrodynamics and knows how to teach the subject. Many phenomena are explained more clearly in his book than in common fluid dynamic texts.... Beautifully produced."--Jerry Gollub, "Physics Today"

Praise for the previous edition: "Required reading for students of biology at all levels of career development."--Paul W. Webb, "Science"


For biologists who want to come to the beginning of a quantitative
understanding of a wide variety of adaptations, for general readers who want
to see how fluid mechanics works in a varied and often surprising context
... this book, full of data, rich in up-to-date and well-appraised
references, is a first-class opportunity.
--Philip Morrison "Scientific American "


Praise for the previous edition: "Required reading for students of biology
at all levels of career development.
--Paul W. Webb "Science "


This edition includes more of everything: more physical concepts, more
biological examples, more sources for additional information.... Vogel finds
a way to make sense of even the least intuitive concepts.
--Mike May "American Scientist "


Vogel ... has a deep knowledge of hydrodynamics and knows how to teach the
subject. Many phenomena are explained more clearly in his book than in
common fluid dynamic texts.... Beautifully produced.
--Jerry Gollub "Physics Today "

For biologists who want to come to the beginning of a quantitative understanding of a wide variety of adaptations, for general readers who want to see how fluid mechanics works in a varied and often surprising context ... this book, full of data, rich in up-to-date and well-appraised references, is a first-class opportunity.--Philip Morrison "Scientific American "

This edition includes more of everything: more physical concepts, more biological examples, more sources for additional information.... Vogel finds a way to make sense of even the least intuitive concepts.--Mike May "American Scientist "

Vogel ... has a deep knowledge of hydrodynamics and knows how to teach the subject. Many phenomena are explained more clearly in his book than in common fluid dynamic texts.... Beautifully produced.--Jerry Gollub "Physics Today "

About the Author

Steven Vogel (1940-2015) was the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Biology at Duke University. His many books include Comparative Biomechanics (Princeton) and Cats' Paws and Catapults.