Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You |
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Author:
Marcus Chown
By Faber and Faber
Average Customer Rating: 
List Price: £12.99
Our Price: £2.96
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New Humanist, December 2007
A brief, non-mathematical introduction to quantum theory and relativity. Succeeds magnificently.
New Scientist, December 1, 2007
Science doesn't come harder than this but Chown makes it all look so easy.
The Times, November 17, 2007
Lay readers, delighted by Chown's vivid imagery and lively humour, will experience several happy Eureka moments.
BBC Sky at Night, January 2008
Chown proves it is perfectly possible to explain hard physics without needing mathematics and graphs. Thoroughly recommended.
Nature, April 13, 2006
Weird, sexy and mind-blowing. It's remarkable the number of new ways Chown has found to explain difficult and abstract concepts.
Synopsis
The two towering achievements of modern physics are quantum theory and Einstein's general theory of relativity. Together, they explain virtually everything about the world we live in. But, almost a century after their advent, most people haven't the slightest clue what either is about. Did you know that there's so much empty space inside matter that the entire human race could be squeezed into the volume of a sugar cube? Or that you grow old more quickly on the top floor of a building than on the ground floor? And did you realise that 1 percent of the static on a TV tuned between stations is a relic of the Big Bang?
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 Very accessible introduction to quantum theory, 2008-01-30
Most popular science books presume the reader has an almost college level grasp of physics. This one doesn't. I really haven't ever read a book that deals with quantum theory in such an accessible way.
Marcus Chown steers clear of anekdotes and side steps, confining himself to basic explaining, the way a highschool teacher would do. No-one who already has some knowledge of the subject will learn anything new from this book, but it's an almost perfect stepping stone.
Quantum theory with a bonus., 2008-04-13
This is an absolutely brilliant book and a fine example to any budding science writers. The subject matter is explained in such a straight forward manner that anyone with an interest in the subject should be able to follow it. As a bonus, not only do you get an explanation of "special relativity" which many authors have tackled but in addition a clear and concise explanation of "general relativity" which very few authors have attempted and none of which, to my knowledge, successfully. Whoever designed that childish dust cover should be fired however the contents are absolutely top notch. Diagrams, who needs them when you can write like that. Marcus Chown you have a new fan !
It's amazing ideas not heavy maths, 2008-02-16
My latest read was part of my research into parallel universes. These figure highly in my own anarchic sci-fi writing although most of my limited knowledge of the subject had been gleaned from Douglas Adams.
I am also planning my Meet The Author video. Looking at the other contributors I met Marcus Chown talking about this book, liked what he said and now I've read his book.
With Quantum Theory cannot hurt you, Marcus Chown has achieved almost the impossible. He doesn't need to resort to a single equation or diagram to explain E=MC squared since he makes the subject so accessible and easy to understand. That's even when hyper-intelligent mega-beings like Einstein say that the only thing anyone understands about quantum theory or relativity is that nobody understands it.
So after reading this book do I understand more than Einstein? I doubt it although this book might have convinced me that I do. In fact, in a parallel universe, I do understand more than Einstein. Great. Right me, wrong universe. But this book has made up for the difference as much as anything abiding by the current rules of physics can.
Quantum theory cannot hurt you is a book I can see myself going back to again and again. I was so impressed I've just bought The Universe Next Door - not literally you understand, it's another of his books.
 Popular science at its best, 2008-05-25
In agreement with the general tone of the reviews that this is a very good book for explaining concepts that are so counter-intuitive you really don't want to believe they are true. Popular science is in rude health at the moment and books like this can only add to that. My only gripe is that if you've already read The Never-ending Days of Being Dead you'll find some repeated material.
 read and regret buying, 2008-06-22
this book does what too many popular science books tend to do. It gives a simile and then explains it using physics. This is the wrong way round. Give the physics then explain it using a simile. Otherwise all your explaining using physics is your own bad explanation of physics. This book isn't very good. The explanation of ideas and constant Einstein worship are just irratating. Buy a book by Feynman instead - it'll be more difficult going but more rewarding in the medium to long term (and probably in the short term to). Sorry if that sounds a little harsh but I've read it and feel conned. The author writes for the new scientist, a publication I am a big fan of, but on this book he just doesn't cut it.
Also i find the other reviews rather dubious "I read other books and now I finally inderstand????", if you don't like this review then read it - you'll understand.
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Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9780571235452
ISBN: 057123545X
Label: Faber and Faber
Manufacturer: Faber and Faber
Number Of Pages: 192
Publication Date: 2007-11-01
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Studio: Faber and Faber |
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