Quanta and Fields

The Biggest Ideas in the Universe

By: Sean Carroll

Narrated by: Sean Carroll

Quanta and Fields, the second book of Sean Carroll’s already internationally acclaimed series The Biggest Ideas in the Universe, is an adventure into the bare stuff of reality.

Sean Carroll is creating a profoundly new approach to sharing physics with a broad audience, one that goes beyond analogies to show how physicists really think. He cuts to the bare mathematical essence of our most profound theories, explaining every step in a uniquely accessible way.

Quantum field theory is how modern physics describes nature at its most profound level. Starting with the basics of quantum mechanics itself, Sean Carroll explains measurement and entanglement before explaining how the world is really made of fields. You will finally understand why matter is solid, why there is antimatter, where the sizes of atoms come from, and why the predictions of quantum field theory are so spectacularly successful. Fundamental ideas like spin, symmetry, Feynman diagrams, and the Higgs mechanism are explained for real, not just through amusing stories. Beyond Newton, beyond Einstein, and all the intuitive notions that have guided homo sapiens for millennia, this book is a journey to a once unimaginable truth about what our universe is.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF of graphs, equations, and images.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Sean Carroll (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Readers will be electrified by his discussion of wave functions, entanglement, fields, and so much more. From the most infinitesimal of subatomic particles to the seemingly vast infinities of the universe’s great expanse, Carroll’s latest inquiry illuminates, well, everything.”—Booklist

The author

I love the book. I love Sean Carroll. he is the best. I love the book.

Most up to date Physics text

Sean Carroll's 'Quanta' is a masterful exploration of the fundamental nature of reality, a theme that Carroll has pursued with relentless curiosity and scholarly rigor throughout his career. In this latest offering, Carroll continues to challenge and refine his ideas, integrating the newest scientific discoveries with the profound questions that have long intrigued both physicists and philosophers. The book delves into the complexities of quantum mechanics and the ongoing debates surrounding it, making these intricate topics accessible and engaging. Carroll's ability to translate complex scientific principles into understandable concepts is unparalleled, making 'Quanta' a must-read for anyone fascinated by how the universe works at its most fundamental levels. This book is a testament to Carroll's commitment to exploring deep truths and his ever-evolving understanding of the cosmos.

only for professionals

Probably this book should have been advertised with a BIG warning: just for professional mathematicians or physics. While I have followed and understand, in large part, the other books of Sean Carroll, just with a lot of concentration, this one was FULL of concepts which are obscure as black magic as long as you have NOT a quite solid background in physics and/or mathematics. nothing bad and, as far as I can understand, this work is outstanding as well (like everything from Sean Carroll), just be aware that this is NOT for everyone.

Finally!

I’ve been reading so many quantum books, but this one is by far the most thorough yet. I appreciate that it dived into the mathematical equations of quanta and fields. I will be rereading this text for a while, but it is definitely the book for you if you are seriously attempting to become well-versed in quantum field theory and the mathematical laws that underpin it. The accompanying PDF file is detailed and the book clearly articulates extremely complex phenomena.

Great but difficult!

This is the perfect compromise if you're tired of popular "science", but not ready for the full math! Great read and an amazing topic!

Hard core, deep dive, not for the faint hearted

This book goes down deep and if you want to have a deeper understanding of quanta and fields. I listened without following along in the pdf but I'm sure if you follow along with it, it will help. I'm going back for a second time to try to understand more about the math, which is the key to understanding quantum systems.

His consistency is fantastic. This is the third or fourth book. I’ve read of his really great.

it because it’s fascinating. The only thing is I wish I had some time to talk to him in person. I don’t really have much to say today, maybe some music?

Smarter for having listened

Foundational explanation with all the corroborating math

I found the 64 pages of attached pdf and the appendix to be essential for groking the concepts and implications

Sean Carroll is an exceptional writer and reader; kudos for sharing rarified insights into humankind's greatest achievements to date describing fields and quanta and how they relate to us

This book will not necessarily be enjoyed by everyone, but I sure did

exactly the level I need

Like the first book of this series, it's more in-depth than popular physics but much less than textbooks. Sean's explanations make understanding the big picture so much clear. Unlike textbooks, it goes directly into the important topics with necessary prerequisites so that readers/listeners can grasp the essence quickly. accompanied PDF may not be enough if one needs reviewing what's learned. Excellent book!

Failed to tell a story

like Sean Carroll's work but this is a drag. The book is so dull and the story is hampered by too much mathematical formulae. He failed to tell an interesting story.