Uncertainty

Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the Struggle for the Soul of Science

By: David Lindley

Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld

Werner Heisenberg's "uncertainty principle" challenged centuries of scientific understanding, placed him in direct opposition to Albert Einstein, and put Niels Bohr in the middle of one of the most heated debates in scientific history. Heisenberg's theorem stated that there were physical limits to what we could know about sub-atomic particles; this "uncertainty" would have shocking implications.

In a riveting account, David Lindley captures this critical episode and explains one of the most important scientific discoveries in history, which has since transcended the boundaries of science and influenced everything from literary theory to television.

©2008 David Lindley (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Lindley brilliantly captures the personalities and the science surrounding the most revolutionary principle in modern physics. At stake are our deepest philosophical beliefs about reality. This book is so lucid that the issues are not merely understandable but truly thrilling." (Walter Isaacson)

A philosophically inclined book on quantum

Any additional comments?

This book written by a physicist is not only a historical sketch of quantum mechanics' development but also philosophical recollections of what it means, in particular from the angle of the uncertainty principle. Short as it is, the book may well be a good companion to Manjit Kumar's "Quantum. Einstein, Bohr, and the great debate about the nature of reality", all the more so because the latter is mostly historical. And even in purely historical terms it's worth reading about the same events from different angles, or even just to ponder about the same important histories again, which may inspire us in a different way.

fascinating insight into the real drama of physics

The early 20th century was by no means an orderly, calm period in the world of theoretical physics. New discoveries in relativity and quantum mechanics were casting increasing doubt on classical physics. Scientists were learning that some phenomena, taking place at the unseeable atomic level, seemed not to be deterministic and predictable, but probabilistic and not so predictable.

Uncertainty provides an informative overview of the major players during this era, and explores the disarray that a changing state of knowledge brought to the physics community, with some more conservative figures, such as Einstein, advocating caution and their own belief that the universe could not truly be so disorderly, and younger physicists, such as Heisenberg, rejecting scientific orthodoxy and searching for the answers in more radical ideas. While I'm sure there are better books about physics and better biographies of famous scientists, this one does capture the division that quantum mechanics brought about among most the brilliant, legendary physicists, and their all-too human arguments as they struggled to make sense of its paradigm-shaking implications. The author also notes the background of political and social unrest taking place in Europe in the 1920s and 30s, raising the question of how much this drama may have been a part of the soul of the scientific drama.

An interesting book.

Excellent Book

I loved this book. The performance was also excellent. Highly recommended. A great explanation of key concepts in quantum physics and the stories of the people behind the theories.

Great

I found this to be a very helpful study of quantum mechanics. What it was particularly good at was setting up the chronology of the theory’s slow evolution. It showed how one idea from one contributor led to the next from another, which led to the next from a third. Each step is described in some detail. I ended up with a clearer understanding of what was involved — as clear as possible anyway. Recommended.

I'd hoped for more theory, but still very good.

I think I would have liked more theoretical explanation amongst the narrative, but I got a lot out of this book and would probably listen to it again sometime.

An Acceptable Treatment of Quantum Mechanics

The speakers voice for some reason made me drown out the audiobook, but that may just be me. The book content offers a fairly standard treatment of the first 30 years or so of quantum physics. Goes up to the EPR arguments and stops about there. Lots of detail on Bohr developing his ideas on the atom with Sommerfeld. The focus is on the history with quantum mechanical concepts interspersed. It's okay, though Quantum Story is more a more comprehensive history.

Being certain about UNcertainty

This book deals with the history of quite esoteric and complex concepts which have transformed the nature of science - quantum mechanics, the nature of causality, the limits of predictability, the essence of reality and the uncertainty principle. It could be dry, boring and unintelligible instead this is human, intelligent and witty in its presentation of the history and development of these theories and ideas. It is so refreshing to hear such an illuminating and at the same time entertaining presentation of such otherwise difficult material for the non-physicist.

Not for the Masses But...

WOW. I really enjoyed this book. It took a bit for me to get into it so I restarted several times. And each time through, I learned something and added to my understanding. This is not easy material but I am so glad it's not "dumbed down" here.

If you like science and want to understand quantum mechanics, and appreciate hearing about the heroes of scientific discovery---here's your book.

Chris Reich

Well Rounded

This is a nice historical description of the characters and the ebb and flow of thought and theory leading to modern quantum mechanics. It is a very good balance of light-science, personal stories, and historical framework, which makes it enjoyable and educational.

Certainly Not for everyone

When I give a lecture on patient assessment I start off by saying “Begin your assessment from across the room. You want to first view your patients with as little influence upon them as possible. You know, like the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle: the process of looking at something changes it.” Then come the deer-in-the-headlight looks from most of my students. That’s perhaps the look that will obtain from many of the readers of this book. Unless you’re a theoretical physicist, taken a class in physical chemistry or maybe thermodynamics, you’ll probably have that same look reading this book. It’s not for the average reader like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is. That was a book I loved and could recommend to anyone. This is tough stuff.

The publisher summary comments that “David Lindley captures this critical episode and explains one of the most important scientific discoveries in history, which has since transcended the boundaries of science and influenced everything from literary theory to television.” Well, maybe so. Transcended as in transcendental meditation? Not guaranteed to help one achieve bliss, with “certainty,” it will definitely help many to go into deeper levels of consciousness... you know... like to sleep.

This is not a condemnation of the book. On the contrary, except for my own personal perception of a certain lack of cohesiveness on the part of the author, I thought the book was okay. It was little dry for my taste (not in the way I like wine) and certainly not riveting. When I finished Michio Kaku’s Parallel Worlds I asked myself, "holy sh--t, WTF was that all about"? I had no clue but I sure enjoyed it. Michio Kaku has that talent. It’s like S&M for some folks. It may hurt but on another level it feels good. I think Lindley, god bless him, lacks that talent.

If you’re interested in the history of science and have a science background, go for it. If not, tread lightly. It just might be a pain that does not feel good on any level.