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.

'A master of making the complex simple' Independent
'Al-Khalili is the ideal guide through [the] mysteries of modern science' New Scientist
'Superb' Guardian

Quantum mechanics underpins modern science and provide 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 twentieth century and witness the birth of quantum theory, which over the next one hundred 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.

'An excellent . . . book' Marcus Chown, New Scientist

'This guide may leave the reader enlightened and perplexed at the same time. Reassuringly, the pros feel the same' Independent

Readers love this:

'It's clear and straightforward . . . I think I may have finally understood what the quantum universe is about. If I have it's because the book is well written' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I took Quantum Mechanics as part of my physics degree in 1967 and didn't understand a word of it. Where were you Jim when I needed you most!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The inexplicable presented in a very readable way' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I must say Jim Al-Khalili has got to be . . . the funniest scientist on the planet' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Quantum Mechanics demonstrates that fact is stranger than fiction' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐©2002 Jim Al-Khalili

Critic reviews

A superb introduction . . . Al-Khalili succeeds in making the quantum world understandable. Well, almost

Al-Khalili is the ideal guide through [the] mysteries of modern science

A master of making the complex simple

Al-Khalili is a superb guide to the fundamental principles of quantum theory

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.

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.

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.