Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 A brief but painless introduction December 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this book at a book signing event in Waterstones whilst waiting around for Ben Goldacre to show up to sign his book Bad Science. Marcus Chown was also in attendance and I chatted a while with him about this book amongst other things.
I have read several books on physics and quantum theory by authors such as Brian Green, John Gribbin and Stephen Hawking and was familiar with quantum theory; familiar in the sense that I have a vague understanding of the topic and find it thoroughly interesting but decidedly bonkers.
Given my existing "knowledge", I wasn't sure if this book would be for me, but I bought it anyway, and now, having found a few spare hours dotted through the Christmas holiday, I am very glad indeed that I did.
The book is split into two parts; i) Small Things and ii) Big Things. Small things discusses the strange world of quantum theory, wave-particle duality, interference, superposition, quantum tunnelling and the like, whilst part two focusses, in general, on Einstein's theories of relativity.
Given the book's title, I was surprised at the amount of space given over to relativity. (That little bit of prior "knowledge" meant I figured the author intended to bring us full circle and explain why General/Special relativity break down when describing the very small in black holes or at the Big Bang - which he does.) However, the Big stuff sits nicely alongside the Small and in the final chapter prepares readers for the even stranger world that string theorists inhabit.
The book progresses at an nice, even pace with plenty of examples and illustrations, which, given the topic, end up being a little contrived and exaggerated. But this is not a problem; what is being discussed is just as crazy as anything the author dreams up to help illustrate the science!
For me, the individual sections were a little brief, but for the reader that is coming fresh to the topic I doubt this will be the case. Instead, "Quantum Theory Cannot Hurt You" is a thoroughly interesting introduction to this fascinating area of science.
And, true to his word, the book didn't hurt one little bit.
 Big Banger December 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
At last I've got it - thanks to Chown's excellent and concise book. Happily, he realises most readers won't have a thorough grounding in math, and introduces the universe, quantum theory and relativity, with characteristic verve. His highly original metaphors and use of analogy ensure the layperson moves effortlessly through the text, a real page-turner. I've given copies to my nephews who are studying physics at GCSE level, as a counter to the usual dry texts they find a chore. We've all found this book far more accessible than other `popularised' books and superficial whizz bang TV progs on the subject that merely left us bewildered. Given the current level of science illiteracy, especially around these areas, this excellent introduction should improve our grasp of some of the major developments in physics over the last century, including the attempt to recreate the Big Bang a few weeks ago. There is a useful glossary and some good suggestions for further reading.
 A little fact-checking doesn't hurt either December 9, 2008
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
If the author can't get the simple fact that physicist/chemist Robert Boyle was Irish and not, as he says in his book, English is there any reason to suppose we can rely on the rest of the content?
But there you go, that's Quantum - it's the small things that get you in the end.
Quantum Theory CAN hurt you - but you're OK in Mr Chown's hands. November 23, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I've come across quantum mechanics before a couple of times, and it has always been a big puzzle. However, since it seems to keep coming up all the time, I've always wished I knew more - and having read this book I do! This book is very user-friendly. It tells you about quantum mechanics in ways anyone can understand and makes it interesting and appealing. Quantum Mechanics doesn't seem like anything else - not like 'old' physics at all. It is weird and astonishing, for instance time is variable, light bends, photons can be in two places, and sometimes one photon can 'tell' what a partner is doing. I don't think I shall ever really understand quantum mechanics but through reading this book I know it won't hurt me, and I feel happy with what I do know...and when I see TV programmes like Einstein and Eddington I know what they're talking about which makes me feel extremely clever. I now feel brave enough to try Richard Feynman. Quantum Theory is an excellent read and I highly recommend it.
 Very Dissapointed November 10, 2008
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
I was very dissapointed with this book but it serves me right as I bought it based on the hype. I cringed with just about every hack joke or wittism he tried. If you think you'll learn something even mildly serious about QM or are seeking painless enlightenment, this book is pointless even within its genre - read Feynmans QED and Six not so Easy Peaces (which are, really, once explained by Feynman.)These two simple books (with just a bit more of well worthwhile effort) you'll find will round rings around Chown. If you want enlightenment on Cosmology go for Asimov. If you know something about QM already you'll spot and cringe at the often mixed-up attemps to explain many things. The cartoon style cover does this book good justice though.
|
