Quantum

Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality

By: Manjit Kumar

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Quantum theory is weird. As Niels Bohr said, if you aren’t shocked by quantum theory, you don’t really understand it. For most people, quantum theory is synonymous with mysterious, impenetrable science. And in fact for many years it was equally baffling for scientists themselves.

In this tour de force of science history, Manjit Kumar gives a dramatic and superbly written account of this fundamental scientific revolution, focusing on the central conflict between Einstein and Bohr over the nature of reality and the soul of science. This revelatory book takes a close look at the golden age of physics, the brilliant young minds at its core, and how an idea ignited the greatest intellectual debate of the 20th century.

Manjit Kumar was the founding editor of Prometheus, an arts-and-sciences journal. He has written and reviewed for various publications, including the Guardian, and is a consulting science editor at Wired UK. He lives in London.

©2008 Manjit Kumar (P)2010 Blackstone Audio

Critic reviews

“Lively…A wide-ranging account, written for readers who are curious about the theory but want to sidestep its mathematical complexities….Fascinating.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

“With vigor and elegance, Kumar…recounts this meaty, dense, exciting story, filled with vivid characters and sharp insights. With physics undergoing another revolution today, Kumar reminds us of a time when science turned the universe upside down.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful telling of the most significant time in modern physical science

Particle physics is my primary interest and, although I've read many more technical books on quantum physics, this is the best account of the development of the field that I've come across. Definitely not a difficult listen, it covers the lives and interactions of the major thinkers and their specific contributions. I was already familiar with all of the concepts and people in this book, but this takes an overarching view that paints a bigger picture of the time, the people, and ideas.

Excellent Account of the Einstein-Quantum Wars

The content and the narration by the reader are first rate. I have read a number of books on this topic, but the debates and Einstein's implacable thought-experimenting are re-created here with particular clarity, drama, and verve.

Author Brings Quantum Theory to a Photographer

I love this book because the author uses such wonderfully simplistic description of science and experiments that I can follow him most of the time and most importantly, can feel the tension between Einstein, Bohr, Boern, Schrodinger and others over the entangle debate on the meaning of life, the universe and reality. Adding more depth to my entertainment in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe and encouraging me to dig up a text that was hugely popular when I graduated high school: In Search of Schrödinger's Cat: Quantum Physics and Reality.

This book was fascinating and fun! I do hope they bring Schrödinger's Cat to audible.com soon.

Interesting read but hard to follow

Pretty interesting history of 19th century physics and the evolution of quantum mechanics and the philosophy of science.

However, it can be difficult to listen as an audiobook without a fundamental understanding of science, in particular physics; perhaps better as a physical book. The storyline is hard to follow as it jumps around in the timeline quite a lot.

Much better than I had expected

I wasn't sure what exactly what I was in for but the book provides an excellent history of the emergence of modern physics. I'm an engineer with general physics knowledge and this puts much into perspective.

A Good History of Quantum Physics

The audiobook presents a good overall history of quantum mechanics from the origins up through entanglement. The focus is on the people and secondarily on the theory. There is little to no math discussed, or alternative interpretations. It doesn't waste time though, keeping things moving at a brisk pace. Quantum Story though offers a more comprehensive history with more particle physics in its story (weak force, quarks, strong force, standard model) if that's your goal.

Highly entertaining epic biography of the Quantum

Entertains better than a great novel. I learned much about Quantum Mechanics by listening to this book. Highly recommended. Valuable addition to a physics library.

Quantum History

An absolute delight to have listened to, and learned from, the history of modern physics. Masterfully orated by Mr. Porter.

Great book

one of the best historical books I have read about modern physics and characters. Recommended

It is a must read for anyone and everyone!

Manjit Kumar did a laudable job to recreate and analyze a critical moment of science and human history. The Einstein and Bohr debate of quanta.

One quote from the book, “ theory is based on observation. Yet mind needs theory to observe.”
Like schodinger’s cat , the book/ the author challenged the readers to follow and to explore with the scientific giants.

Also I really enjoyed the reading from the narrator. It is 5 for me.