The Story of the Candle

As is well known, one can look at the flame of a burning candle endlessly. But what physical phenomena and laws of nature lie behind the beauty of the flickering blue-gold flame? Before you is one of the most celebrated popular science books in history. A series of lectures on the nature of fire and related processes, delivered by Michael Faraday as part of the educational program for youth at the Royal Institute in London, was recorded by one of his students—William Crookes (later a famous physicist and chemist). Based on the notes made during Faraday's lifetime, these lectures were published as a separate book with illustrations and commentary by Crookes. It has been translated into all major world languages, is repeatedly reissued, and continues to enjoy widespread success among both schoolchildren and students, as well as adult readers.