T. J. Murphy

Hard Ball Systems and the Lorentz Gas are fundamental models arising in the theory of Hamiltonian dynamical systems. Moreover, in these models, some key laws of statistical physics can also be tested or even established by mathematically rigorous tools. The mathematical methods are most beautiful but sometimes quite involved. This collection of surveys written by leading researchers of the fields - mathematicians, physicists or mathematical physicists - treat both mathematically rigourous results, and evolving physical theories where the methods are analytic or computational. Some basic topics: hyperbolicity and ergodicity, correlation decay, Lyapunov exponents, Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy, entropy production, irreversibility. This collection is a unique introduction into the subject for graduate students, postdocs or researchers - in both mathematics and physics - who want to start working in the field.

Hard Ball Systems and the Lorentz Gas are fundamental models arising in the theory of Hamiltonian dynamical systems. Moreover, in these models, some key laws of statistical physics can also be tested or even established by mathematically rigorous tools. The mathematical methods are most beautiful but sometimes quite involved. This collection of surveys written by leading researchers of the fields - mathematicians, physicists or mathematical physicists - treat both mathematically rigourous results, and evolving physical theories where the methods are analytic or computational. Some basic topics: hyperbolicity and ergodicity, correlation decay, Lyapunov exponents, Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy, entropy production, irreversibility. This collection is a unique introduction into the subject for graduate students, postdocs or researchers - in both mathematics and physics - who want to start working in the field.

Twin brothers Jake and Jordy stand in the middle of their favorite creek and perform yo-yo tricks--or, rather, Jake performs them since he is so much better at them. Suddenly a set of shimmering stairs appear, leading up to a door in the sky. Jordy gingerly climbs on the first step but splashes back into the water when Jake stops performing his trick. Convinced that the yo-yos are a key to this mystery, Jordy gets Jake to continue the trick and they both climb to the door and open it. Upon going through they find themselves in a new land. A group of short men appear and announce themselves as pixies. It appears they have been waiting for the twins to arrive to save their land from the evil Black Demon. They return to their home with the 12-year-old twins in tow and discover that they are the chosen ones to battle this demon. Along with their guide, Shirra, they embark upon a quest to find and defeat this monster before he takes over their entire world. They battle many of the demon's minions along the way, and fall victims to various calamities. Will they be successful in defeating the Black Demon--and will they ever be able to return to their own world?

11-year-old Devon Cullin is dismayed when he finds out that he will spend his spring vacation visiting his cousin Stacey--in Kansas. Things begin to unravel quickly when they venture up into the hills during tornado season. A twister suddenly drops from the clouds and wickedly spins right towards them. Will they make it to the safety of a rock outcropping in time, or will this be Devon's final vacation?

Having reached the age of twelve summers, Dal--a Cro-Magnon boy, looks forward to his manhood initiation. But his father informs him that Dal is being passed over because he isn't ready. Making matters worse, Dal's eleven-year-old friend Cog is accepted into the initiation. Ashamed, Dal flees the cave, falls in a raging river, and embarks upon an adventure that leads him into the Land of the North Caves, where he is injured in a fall. Rescued by a Neanderthal boy, Dal is taken to the boy's cave. Dal is distrusted because he is different, and is accused of stealing. He is then sent on a quest to battle a mighty cave lion to gain acceptance. Mar, the boy who rescued him, joins him on this futile quest. Dal knows that he can't clear his name without facing this awesome beast. And he can never return home without first clearing his name among the Neanderthals. Together, Dal and Mar encounter the wicked lion. Will they be successful in their quest, or be brutally savaged and eaten by the wicked beast? And what other problems do they uncover on their journey?

In Inside the Box, veteran journalist and marathoner T.J. Murphy goes all in to expose the gritty, high-intensity sport of CrossFit®. Murphy faced a future with a permanent limp from one too many marathons. Desperate to reclaim his fitness and strength, the 47-year-old signed up for his first CrossFit® workout with nothing to lose. Anaerobically blasted by each workout of the day, Murphy discovered a sweat-soaked fitness revolution that's transforming bodies and lives. CrossFit is the sport of fitness, a radical new approach to exercise that is turning the traditional gym workout upside down. Every day at thousands of CrossFit gyms across America, fitness seekers of all shapes and sizes flex their inner athlete by racing to finish fast-paced workouts. Each workout mixes weight lifting and gymnastics into an explosively effective and addictive new way to lose weight and carve out a new physique. Inside the Box is Murphy's journey through CrossFit. From staggering newcomer to evangelist, Murphy finds out how it feels, why it's so popular, whether it can fix his broken body.