Einstein's Unfinished Dream

Practical Progress Towards a Theory of Everything

De: Don Lincoln

Narrado por: Daniel Henning

Humanity has long looked to the sky and marveled at the world around us. We've wondered why the world is the way it is and whether it has to be that way. For millennia these questions were theological, transitioning to philosophical during the Enlightenment, but the discipline that now drives progress is science. We now look forward, hoping to make additional connections and create a better understanding of the ultimate laws of nature. We dream of a time when we have developed a theory of everything—a theory that answers all questions.

There is so much that we don't know. This book is up front about our ignorance and spends some time dispelling some of the more popular theories. It then redirects the listener's attention to how we will actually move forward, by identifying things we don't yet understand and engaging with the experiments that will drive our comprehension.

Einstein's Unfinished Dream explores the cutting-edge research of modern particle physicists that pushes us slowly towards a theory of everything. Marshalling decades of experience in distilling high-level scientific concepts, Lincoln invites listeners into the mysteries of dark matter, dark energy, matter-antimatter asymmetry, quark and lepton flavor, and other phenomena that have puzzled humanity for centuries.

©2023 Oxford University Press (P)2023 Tantor

I know a lot more about what I don’t know

I think what I enjoyed most was the author’s challenge to push yourself into to the unknown! My physics instruction consisted of a HS class in 1966. Things have changed a wee bit over the last 59 years.

Great book, some minor issues with performance

The book is great especially because it covered some of the details of several experiments that I wasn't aware of. However, there are some minor issues with the narration. For example, if neutron and eletron and photon and fermion are properly pronounced with an -on, why is boson pronounced as bosen? Another example is when the book talk about the periodic table, it mentioned that lithium and sodium and other "highly radioactive" elements are put in the same column. The correct word should be "reactive", not "radioactive".

Quite Enlightening

Quite enlightening and very informative look into the known and known substance of matter!

It is a fascinating story.

It is a fascinating story that explores the current state of physics research and the obstacles that lay between where we are now and the ultimate goal of developing a theory that explains all physical phenomena. While the Theory of Everything is still a big hope for many scientists, it is important to note that it is still a work in progress for many decades or even centuries ahead.
It is a great story for anyone interested in science and physics. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of physics research and the challenges that lie ahead. The book is written in an engaging and entertaining style and contains many fascinating facts that will blow your mind away. The book’s only limitation is that it lacks a PDF file containing illustrative material that Don frequently refers to throughout the course of the book.

Depth and breadth

Great summary of current physics and art….. excellent presentation! Good place to go to broaden knowledge of the subjects.

Simple to understand but….

The book is a great way to get familiar with modern physics on a micro and macro level.
However the audio book does not come with a pdf. There are some equations and other descriptions that need to be viewed

A dream is better than a nightmare

Don Lincoln's book on Albert Einstein is a masterful blend of biography and scientific exposition. It provides an accessible yet profound exploration of Einstein's life, from his revolutionary theories of relativity to his personal struggles and triumphs. Lincoln skillfully demystifies complex concepts, making them comprehensible for both lay readers and enthusiasts. The narrative is enriched with historical context and personal anecdotes, painting a vivid portrait of Einstein not just as a genius but as a deeply human figure. This book is a compelling tribute to one of the greatest minds in history, offering both inspiration and insight.