Quantum

A Guide for the Perplexed

By: Jim Al-Khalili

Narrated by: Hugh Kermode

From Schrodinger's cat to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, this book untangles the weirdness of the quantum world.

Quantum mechanics underpins modern science and provides us with a blueprint for reality itself. And yet it has been said that if you're not shocked by it, you don't understand it. But is quantum physics really so unknowable? Is reality really so strange? And just how can cats be half alive and half dead at the same time?

Our journey into the quantum begins with nature's own conjuring trick, in which we discover that atoms - contrary to the rules of everyday experience - can exist in two locations at once. To understand this we travel back to the dawn of the 20th century and witness the birth of quantum theory, which over the next 100 years was to overthrow so many of our deeply held notions about the nature of our universe.

Scientists and philosophers have been left grappling with its implications ever since.

Read by Hugh Kermode.

©2003 Jim Al-Khalili (P)2016 Orion Publishing Group

So far so good. It's not going to let down.

Covering the basics and keeping it technical. Do not dive into this thinking you're going to know it all. Though it does start at the beginning if you don't have a grasp on the standard model good luck.

The fascinating world of the quantum

So many books about quantum physics but no one ever explains it, they only describe the science.

In a typically captivating Al-Khalili style, even that that cannot be understood is explained easily. "Those who think they understand quantum science, don't understand quantum science" don't ask why, just do the math that works.

The author explains why quantum science is so accurate yet defies intuition and any type of reason. Most scientists in this field only care that the science works. Why quantum physics works in the way it does is something they usually run away from, and for good reason. It makes no sense and defies logic.

Great author, great book, highly recommended for those that still don't understand why we don't understand the quantum world.

Excellent Read

Thoroughly enjoyed the writer's ability to translate complex ideas to a layman reader that only dabbles in the realm of the inconceivable small atoms.

excellent introduction

an excellent introduction to a complex and profoundly important scientific domain. also an engaging performance by the narrator.

2nd times a charm

read for a 2nd time. loved it 3x more and cant wait to start it over again.

I loved it. when I learned to use the rewind 30s

I loved it. when I learned to use the rewind 30s. not because of the narrator. just because it the complexity, my lack of understanding the subject or being sure to understand it all.

Great non-mathematical coverage of quantum physics

Excellent coverage of a wide range of topics in quantum mechanics. I enjoyed learning about the history of quantum mechanics and who was involved in it's development. It was surprising to me how long it actually took to describe the theory from its first hints in the description of black body radiation to full quantum mechanics. Personally, I hoped for a little more about the mathematical basis for quantum mechanics, but since it did not go deep into the math, I do think this book is accessible to more people. I also enjoyed hearing about real world physics experiments and just how much more there is to learn.

Great information. What more is known today?

This is information that anyone with a true interest in physics and chemistry should understand.

best layman's guide to the quantum wirls

great metaphors, author does not condescend and makes the material accessible. looking forward to learning more on the subject after this

Not for beginners

I was going to give it one star but that would not have been fair to the author or to the publisher. The reason I was going to give a low score was because the book was way over my head and again that's not the author's fault, but also the accent by the reader made it harder to understand and comprehend because it was distracting.