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)

stellar

amazing, learned so much physics, truly an inspiration to think we know so much about reality

Theories not realities

nice intertaining book about way out theries in Physics. I have no complaints. I just wonder if we will ever get back to the moon let alone travel through a black hole. I do love reading these books and musing with the arthur. Not for everybody for sure. I recommend as a non scientist.

AWESOME!!

Feodor Chin is an fantastic narrator. You forget you're being read to. Chin's voice slides smoothly and effortlessly through your ears.
As for the author, Micheo Kaku is a brilliant astrophysicist that expands ones mind to the possibilities and inevitabilities of man, the planet and the universe.
This is an awesome read and worth every penny!!

Hope for the Impossible

This book isn't for everyone, but is well worth the effort for those who find the challenges of Theoretical Physics interesting. The book provides a good summary of the topic, with an avenue for the hope of future inquiry. This is my second book by this author and I find his presentations clearly explained.

Michio is cocky in this book and it’s still dry

Not a great listen and I love physics! It’s very dry and doesn’t draw you in.

Decent book

Time travel was good but most of the ideas were too vague to grasp. But most was interesting. Thank you.

Great Overview of an Important Subject

The writting is first rate. The level of detail is appropartae for the layperson or scientist. Goes into therory with enough detail that you understand and can expalin to other. Narrator did a great job. Worth the listen.

Witty and Amazingly Clear

If you could sum up Physics of the Impossible in three words, what would they be?

Thought-Provoking, Non-Pretentious. Razor-Sharp.

What did you like best about this story?

The author has the rare ability to structure both the subject matter and his observations with unflagging clarity and wit, yet without a hint of dumbing down. Even when the discussion simply must swing out into the highly technical/theoretical, he makes the passage engaging and wonderfully thought-provoking. It's like grabbing a long cup of coffee with the best professor you've ever had.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but that would be impossible given the enormity of the book's scope. Kaku's observations inspire the listener to delve deeper into their own thoughts before resuming the narrative journey.

Any additional comments?

The narrator is absolutely first-rate, with excellent pacing, pitch and connection. What a great paring, Kaku and Chin.

Excellent book and excellent narration.

It is evident that this was likely a really fun book to write. With each new subject, the author asks questions that I have asked myself many times throughout my exploration of my childhood, science fiction, and science. This was very well narrated, and I found the whole experience listening to this book to be most enjoyable.

Excellent!

I wish it would have been Dr. Kaku reading it, but the narrator sounded just like him so it didn't take away from it too much. This book is filled with extremely interesting and engaging topics. If you like science you will find this book exceptional. A bit boring and too technical at certain points - I often found myself lost in the technical jargon of scientific theory and language, but he brings it back to a level at which we can understand it well. I thought it was great overall!