A Half-century of Physical Asymptotics and Other Diversions Selected Works by Michael Berry

'Comments made on the philosophy and conduct of science are valuable and have been influenced strongly by academic contacts at the University of Bristol, and indeed worldwide ... The variety of papers and their intended readerships make much of this volume appropriate and enjoyable for general readers, as well as for specialists.'Contemporary PhysicsMichael Berry is a theoretical physicist who has contributed to a wide variety of areas in quantum mechanics, optics and related mathematics, linked by the geometrical aspects of waves, especially phase. This collection of his selected published and unpublished papers, reviews, tributes to other scientists, speeches and other works ranges from the technical to the popular. It is organized by the themes of his significant scientific contributions. Detailed introductions emphasize the rich connections between the different themes. An essential read for physicists, mathematicians, students and philosophers of science.