“The man who makes physics sexy . . . the scientist they’re calling the next Stephen Hawking.” —The Times MagazineFrom the New York Times–bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, The Order of Time, and Helgoland, a closer look at the mind-bending nature of the universe.What are the elementary ingredients of the world? Do time and space exist? And what exactly is reality? Theoretical … world? Do time and space exist? And what exactly is reality? Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli has spent his life exploring these questions. He tells us how our understanding of reality has changed over the centuries and how physicists think about the structure of the universe today.
In elegant and accessible prose, Rovelli takes us on a wondrous journey from Democritus to Albert Einstein, from Michael Faraday to gravitational waves, and from classical physics to his own work in quantum gravity. As he shows us how the idea of reality has evolved over time, Rovelli offers deeper explanations of the theories he introduced so concisely in Seven Brief Lessons on Physics.
This book culminates in a lucid overview of quantum gravity, the field of research that explores the quantum nature of space and time, seeking to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity. Rovelli invites us to imagine a marvelous world where space breaks up into tiny grains, time disappears at the smallest scales, and black holes are waiting to explode—a vast universe still largely undiscovered.
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I’m on my second reading of this book. He does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in theoretical physics. The math background you need is very small, instead he guides you through the theories, how they work , and their relevance to today’s physics. I had a lot of fun digging thru his concepts until I understood them. It was also enlightening to chase down his citations and people and concepts he mentions in his book. I feel I got a semesters worth of education.
A very accessible, entertaining, and easy to read introduction to Quantum theory.
Revolution’s unflagging success in procreation has, as a consequence, attuned our interaction with our envornment to be informed solely to keep us fit for reproduction. .Any similarities betwwwn what we perceive our environment to be to what it is actuality my seem to be only circumstantial. “Fitness Becore Truth” is hard to bet one’s mind around. But if you do, you may find yourself thinking differently about many of your experiences in your life. Or not!
When the mind is bent so far by new concepts, is is a great pleasure to feel it straighten out. I left the book knowing I would have to reread it if I hoped to get some of the curves back on a reasonably familiar track.
Highly recommend but it will not be for everyone a satisfying slog.
Ed Prieve
Non-mathematical, but useful and understandable conceptual explanation of cutting edge physics research into making compatible quantum mechanics and general relativity. Clear on what is generally accepted by today’s physicists, what is controversial, and what is speculative. Rovelli’s approach is called Quantum Gravity, and it is a research program, not a completed theory. He’s quite up front about that. Fascinating.
The historical background to the main topic was very educational. The focus (quantum gravity) was difficult to follow, at times, but still informative.
Very easy to understand
Well crafted for the lay science reader and those interested in LOOP theory as opposed to String theory.
This is a fascinating read, and Dr. Rovelli writes engagingly.
Is this a book of hard science or soft mysticism? Beats me! Whatever it is, it is about “piercing the veil” and “the oneness of all existence” – notions that imbue every page. If you like having your mind boggled, do yourself a favor and revel in this book. For those who don’t, who have it all pretty much figured out, steer clear!
Another way of looking at the problem of making quantum theory fit with relativity. It’s easy to read and one of the best explications I’ve run across, plus it doesn’t require all sorts of dimensional machinations and other really weird stuff. May not solve all of physics’ problems, but it’s a much simpler approach that makes some sense.
Very interesting and informative!!
Interesting. What you think becomes a thing
He’s a master at putting the difficult to understand into terms and examples for the only minimally educated on the subject. By no means do I thoroughly understand it but I feel I understand it a lot more. I reread pages 2-3 times, because the subject is so technical (for me) and each time I understand a little more. Well done, thanks.