Physics and poetry may seem like strange bedfellows, but Wayne State Professor William Rolnick has managed to make the two a metaphysical match made in heaven in his new book Remnants of the Fall? Revelations of Particle Secrets.

The book, which was released last spring, has been nominated by its publisher World Scientific for a Pulitzer Prize in the general non-fiction category. In fact, this is the first time the publisher has nominated any of its books for a Pulitzer Prize.

Rolnick's book explains science and physics for general readers (no equations in sight!) with the help of poetry. The book associates the beauty and flow of poetry with the inherent beauty found in the theories of the fundamental building blocks of nature. The approach of putting physics and poetry together impressed many in academic circles including Noble Prize winning MIT Physics Professor Jerome I. Friedman.

"I read "Remnants of the Fall" with great enjoyment," said Friedman. "With whimsy and charm, this book provides a delightful way of introducing readers who are interested in science to a contemporary understanding of some of the deepest questions in nature. It is a book of substance, celebration and amusement; and I certainly recommend that it be published."

Rolnick will also use the book during the winter semester when he teaches Physics 104, an introductory course for non-science majors.

Rolnick, a professor at Wayne State since 1966, specializes in theoretical high-energy particle physics. He is an honored professor whose awards include: the WSU President's Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1999; WSU College of Science Teaching Award, 1996 and the WSU Alumni Faculty Service Award, 1994.

He earned a bachelor's in Physics from Brooklyn College and master's and doctorate degrees both in physics at Columbia University. Another book to his credit is The Fundamental Particles and Their Interactions, (Addison Wesley, 1994).

In addition to his intellectual acumen in physics and knack for writing, Rolnick is a professionally trained operatic bass baritone. He is a soloist with The Metropolitan Singers and has given several solo recitals in the Detroit area.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.