Physics of the Impossible

A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel

By: Michio Kaku

Narrated by: Feodor Chin

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

One hundred years ago, scientists would have said that lasers, televisions, and the atomic bomb were beyond the realm of physical possibility. In Physics of the Impossible, the renowned physicist Michio Kaku explores to what extent the technologies and devices of science fiction (such as phasers, force fields, teleportation, and time travel) that are deemed equally impossible today might well become commonplace in the future.

From teleportation to telekinesis, Kaku uses the world of science fiction to explore the fundamentals - and the limits - of the laws of physics as we know them today. In a compelling and thought-provoking narrative, he explains:

How the science of optics and electromagnetism may one day enable us to bend light around an object, like a stream flowing around a boulder, making the object invisible to observers downstream

How ramjet rockets, laser sails, antimatter engines, and nanorockets may one day take us to the nearby stars

How telepathy and psychokinesis, once considered pseudoscience, may one day be possible using advances in MRI, computers, superconductivity, and nanotechnology

Why a time machine is apparently consistent with the known laws of quantum physics, although it would take an unbelievably advanced civilization to actually build one

Kaku uses his discussion of each technology as a jumping-off point to explain the science behind it. An extraordinary scientific adventure, Physics of the Impossible takes listeners on an unforgettable, mesmerizing journey into the world of science that both enlightens and entertains.

©2008 Michio Kaku (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Science and science fiction buffs can easily follow Kaku's explanations as he shows that in the wonderful worlds of science, impossible things are happening every day." ( Publishers Weekly)

Nothing Is Impossible

While although this title is misleading, just the same with Michio's other book, "The God Equation", where this book is full of a series of ideas which may be thought to have been impossible, are argued that they may not be (In "the God Equation" Michio does not provide an equation which captures the power of God; also misleading). Yet still, I enjoyed this book pretty much for abundance of knowledge - especially, Sci-Fi related ideas, which I'm quite fond of (being a Sci-Fi writer myself looking for ideas to write about). Aside from Sci-FI, the book is full of historical stories and physics-based information. I didn't quite agree with everything Michio discussed, like his hierarchy of "impossibility levels" (I just don't think one could create tiers with predictions for the expectation of their possibility of emergence). Nothing is impossible, I truly believe that.

Capable of being understood.

Dr. Kaku is wonderful because he has a way of explaining *very* complex things in a way that the layman can understand. His exploration of "impossible" feats from science fiction is awesome for any sci-fi fan, and it really helps explain why certain things will or will not work. It's not a math book, which is great for those who are not mathematicians or engineers/scientists. Very enjoyable, providing you're interested in such things (which is a fair guess if one is considering this book.)

Goldie Locks science

Where does Physics of the Impossible rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks on a shelf by itself. I enjoyed the way Dr. Kaku explains difficult subjects in an everyday understandable fashion.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This question doesn't really apply so I will just say. I really enjoyed the way the author explained common science fiction topics such as artificial intelligence and time travel from a point of view that accepts their possible eventuality.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the section describing nano technology.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This book doesn't work like that but I did get a real sense of hope for an interesting future for man kind.

Any additional comments?

I've seen Dr. Kaku many times on T.V. And know his voice well. The narrator often inflected his speech identical to that of the author. I just found that to be a curiosity.

all you ever wanted to know about things you never

this book allowed a common person like myself, to enjoy journey into a world of hypotheticals. if you listen to it closely you'll find yourself questioning the very existence of what you are at an atomic level.

Loved this book and audio book

Any additional comments?

I liked this book so much I got the audio book. When I first read this book a couple years ago, I pretty much devoured it. my physics knowledge has been minimal at best, but I picked up enough to have a lengthy conversation with a physics teacher and understand what was the concepts she brought up. Michio's books should have a sub label "Physics for dummies" I will pick up some of the other books he's written to see if they are as good.

Needs an update.

It’s amusing listening to outdated speculative physics. Definitely needs a little brush up with advances from the past decade or two!

Great book

very informative book,loved. it. the first science book I've actually enjoyed. I really enjoyed the authors style of writing.

Fantastically interesting

This book went through different science ideas that were interesting and partly theoretical. It was a true joy to read/listen. It also gave ideas for writing science fiction.

Needs to be updated, but still excellent!

I would love to hear a 2024 updated version of this book. So many things discussed in this book are now dated by 17 years or more. Surprisingly, Feodor Chin, the narrator of the book, sounds similar to the author's own voice, which is nice to hear. I enjoy most of Michio Kaku's books, but some are a bit above my level of understanding; however, this book is on a level most people will easily understand and find interesting. I guess its time to order his latest book from Audible entitled "Quantum Supremacy
How the Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything." Just the title sounds like a quantum ride into the future! I can hardly wait.

Inspired

Dr. Kaku isn't only a brilliant string theorist and well rounded communicator with a full breadth of knowledge, he is also inspirational and curious.
This book covers various sci-fantasies, such as force fields and time travel, and categorizes them into 3 different levels of 'impossibility' for our future.
He discusses force fields, invisibility, faster that light travel, E.T., and ultimately whether we will be able to escape the final end of this universe by bridging this universe to another and slipping away into a new, younger univese as this one succumbs to entropy or is torn apart as a result of the expansion of space itself.

He also touches on string theory, various current socioeconomic problems. He's well read, and without a doubt, he's the kind of guy you could easily sit and listen to for hours on end and not get bored.
Excellent book, fun, and certainly not difficult to understand.