Higgs

The Invention and Discovery of the 'God Particle'

By: Jim Baggott, Steven Weinberg - foreword

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

The hunt for the Higgs particle has involved the biggest, most expensive experiment ever. So exactly what is this particle? Why does it matter so much? What does it tell us about the universe? Did the discovery announced on July 4, 2012 finish the search? And was finding it really worth all the effort? The short answer is yes.

The Higgs field is proposed as the way in which particles gain mass - a fundamental property of matter. It's the strongest indicator yet that the Standard Model of physics really does reflect the basic building blocks of our universe. Little wonder the hunt and discovery of this new particle produced such intense media interest.

Here, Jim Baggott explains the science behind the discovery, looking at how the concept of a Higgs field was invented, how the vast experiment was carried out, and its implications on our understanding of all mass in the universe.

©2012 Jim Baggott (P)2018 Tantor

Best of Baggott (as far as I can tell)

I couldn't stand Baggott's most recent book, called Quantum Space, which attempts to tell the story of loop quantum gravity. It was just so dull, boring, lacking any insights into the physics, poorly told story, etc. So it was just by chance that I gave him another shot with this Higgs book (I downloaded it as a freebie on Audible).

I'm glad I took another chance on Baggott, because this book is phenomenal! It's by far the best telling of every relevant piece of the Standard Model, including the Higgs Boson.

He builds the story like an expert novelist, giving plenty of historical context at just the right times, injecting physical concepts so seamlessly that the story and science come to life together.

Of course, this type of story requires the proper choice of narrator, and I think Julian was a great choice here.

Pretty good!

A superb and in-depth review of particle physics leading to the Higgs boson

From the forward to the epilogue this book chronicles the achievements and competitive aspects of the discoveries of everything from Clark’s to eventually the headaches oh son. Including the importance of finding the Higgs to the entire standard model of particle physics. He makes the story dramatic and suspenseful, even though we know the result.

concise and well presented

The form and flow equal its content. However, it misses in its interpretations and conclusions.