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)

Considering This Book Already? Go For It

If you are not too interested in science, you might like this book. If you have any interest at all in the subject, you will like this book. As a high school Physics teacher who knew less than I ought to about quantum theory, I committed last summer to reading up on the subject. I read about Einstein, watched a video series on quantum theory, and listened to this book. Even without the other two endeavors, I would have found this book to be informative and interesting. It is written in a narrative style that neither insults the intelligence nor talks over your head. The story and the theory are both more interesting than you are probably imagining.

Best general book on quantum physics

This is the best book on quantum mechanics for the general public. The only issue I had with the audiobook version is the quality of the audio seems to change as if certain parts of the narration were re-done. It happens dozens of times throughout the audio and was distracting when listening to the audiobook.

Engaging & also explains quantum physics clearly

"Quantum" tells the history of quantum physics from Planck in 1900 through Aspect's experiments on Bell's Theorem in the 1980s. The story is told through the eyes of quantum physicists in their letters and conversations. Key journal articles are accurately and clearly summarized (with only brief mentions of short key equations). The content is very similar to that of "The Age of Entanglement." This one is clearer, but I read both and I'd recommend doing so if you really want to understand quantum physics and its foundations.

If you want to learn quantum physics, this is not a beginner's book. I suggest a course or self-study before tackling the level of discussion of quantum physics in this book. But, if you just want to get a general understanding of the history and people of the field, then this book should be very interesting to you.

This author, Kumar, really knows his quantum physics. I thought that he must be a physicist, but a brief Google search suggests that he's primarily a science writer. Kumar has the most thorough understanding of quantum physics with the accompanying ability to explain what he knows that I've run across. (And I've read books by Brian Greene.)

This book is superb in both content and presentation. It's really the best book on quantum physics of the eight or so that I've read.

Very thrilling in terms of science and human nature

Highly recommend for students especially for those who are interested in history of physics and philosophy of quantum world.
If you do not like physics and are not familiar with basic terms and laws do not even start to listen, but if you have some knowledge in the subject, it will be thrilling and exciting to listen to it.

got me through many elliptical sessions

and dog walks. interesting threading of their lives and their thoughts. the dispute seems .... hmmm ... philosophical. reality is real but we cannot measure it and what we can measure just won't sit still.

Amazing book! Einstein and Bohr at their best!

Captivating presentation of the history of Quantum Physics and the debate about the nature of reality between 2 giants of science!

Compelling narrative perfectly delivered

The captivating mixture of science, history, and biography, delivered by a narrator ideal for this book.

Very reassuring

As brilliant as Schrodinger, Heisenberg, Einstein & Bohr were, I was comforted by the fact that Matrix algebra eluded them as much as it did me.

Awesome stories of pioneering phantum physicists

What made the experience of listening to Quantum the most enjoyable?

It was great to hear of the lives, discoveries, and disputes of the men who founded the field of quantum physics. Einstein and Bohr play major roles in the story, but many other scientists and mathematicians are introduced along with their discoveries.

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

Yes. Though, I did take breaks to research the different theories and discoveries as I listened.

A wonderful beautifully written book.

I purchased this audio book just to learn more about the history and key figures in the development of Quantum Mechanics. I think this would make a great movie. 5 stars 🌟